Medical technology is constantly evolving and advancing, saving more lives and improving surgical procedures across all fields of medicine. Such advancements have opened new doors to more precise diagnoses and enhanced treatment methods.
Orthopaedics is no exception, as exciting innovations have been, and will be changing the landscape of orthopaedic surgery as we know it. The future of orthopaedic surgery will focus on simpler, safer, quicker and more economical procedures, with technologies offering advantages for both surgeons and patients in Singapore.
Trending Technologies in Orthopaedic Surgery
1. Robotics
Robotics, or robot-assisted surgery, is a growing area in orthopaedics. It has applications in joint arthroplasty and a variety of procedures with the utmost precision is needed, such as knee replacement and hip replacement surgeries. There are several different ways robots can be used in orthopaedic surgery. For instance, a robotic arm can guide implants and surgical instruments into accurate placements to achieve the best possible alignment and outcome. Since robotic surgery involves smaller incisions, it is less invasive and results in improved post-operative care and faster recovery.
2. Orthobiologics
Orthobiologics harness the regenerative potential of cells in the human body, using materials made from natural substances to speed up the healing process. They can reduce inflammation and improve the healing of injured muscles, broken bones, ligaments, and tendons. By delivering specialised treatments for joints and soft tissues, they accelerate healing, thus reducing pain and improving quality of life. Some applications include bone grafts, the use of bone marrow stem cells to develop desired tissues, and bioabsorbable implants.
The orthobiologics market is expected to surpass US$10 billion by 2025. With its rapid growth, orthobiologics is definitely something to look out for in the near future.
3. 3D Printing
3D printing offers a vast range of versatile applications. It can be used in the treatment of numerous orthopaedic conditions by using innovative 3D-printed material in place of metal implants for joint replacement. Patient-specific implants can be produced using 3D printing, which improves surgical correction. 3D technology is also used for modelling surgical anatomy in 3D before surgery to better evaluate, plan and execute the procedure successfully.
In addition to surgeries, 3D printing has substantial use in training and education. Trainees can study accurate models of an injury or deformity printed based on actual conditions and case studies.
4. Augmented Reality
See the words “augmented reality”, and the first thing that might come to mind for many are mobile phone games and social media filters. In fact, there has been an increasing interest in the use of augmented reality in orthopaedic surgery. Using a mix of special hardware and software, it provides surgeons with computer-generated information to support them during surgery, such as guidance and 3D imaging. Benefits include better accuracy and efficiency, and surgeons can access real-time patient data in the operating theatre.
Positive Impacts of Technology for Doctors & Patients
Medical technology enables orthopaedic surgery to become increasingly proactive and specialised in the management of injuries and conditions. With the power of technology, orthopaedic surgeons will be able to treat conditions that currently have a poor recovery. It significantly reduces treatment costs for clinics and allows for more precise surgery.
As for patients, these technologies provide optimised and personalised outcomes, along with potentially less pain and faster recovery. Without a doubt, there is an exciting future ahead for the field of orthopaedics.
Interested in learning more? Dr Gowreeson would be more than happy to share about pioneering surgical technologies. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us at OrthofootMD today.
