The metaverse in orthopaedics: Virtual, augmented and mixed reality for advancing surgical training, arthroscopy, arthroplasty and rehabilitation

IF 5 2区医学 Q1 ORTHOPEDICS

Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Pub Date : 2025-07-07 DOI:10.1002/ksa.12723

Mahmut Enes Kayaalp, Efstathios Konstantinou, Bedri Karaismailoglu, Gian Andrea Lucidi, Mehmet Kaymakoglu, Romed Vieider, Joseph D. Giusto, Jumpei Inoue, Michael T. Hirschmann

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Purpose

The metaverse and extended reality (XR), which includes augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR), are transforming orthopaedic surgery by enhancing training, procedural accuracy and rehabilitation. However, a literature review of these new virtual tools is lacking. The purpose of this narrative review is to summarise available evidence about the metaverse and discuss current and future clinical applications.

Methods

A narrative review of the current literature was performed for studies evaluating XR tools and their respective clinical and educational utility. Studies from all orthopaedic subspecialties were eligible for inclusion. The XR tools evaluated in each study were categorised according to the reality spectrum and future research or clinical applications were discussed.

Results

XR is a technological spectrum that includes AR, VR and MR to create immersive and interactive surgical training environments. VR-based simulators may improve surgical education by allowing trainees to refine their skills in a risk-free setting. AR may enhance intraoperative guidance and has been studied within orthopaedics to improve implant positioning accuracy and reduce complications in procedures including arthroscopy and total joint arthroplasty. In rehabilitation, AR and VR have been implemented to facilitate patient engagement and adherence, promoting functional recovery through gamified therapy and remote telerehabilitation.

Conclusions

There has been a paradigm shift in orthopaedic care in which digital tools are integrated with patient care to optimise patient outcomes. However, challenges to the widespread implementation of promising XR technology include high costs, steep learning curves and limited clinical validation. Ethical concerns, including data security and patient privacy, further complicate its use in clinical settings. Future research must focus on cost-effectiveness, standardisation and improving accessibility to ensure seamless integration into clinical practice.

Level of Evidence

Level V.

Abstract Image

查看原文本刊更多论文

整形外科的虚拟、增强和混合现实：用于推进外科训练、关节镜检查、关节成形术和康复。

目的：包括增强现实（AR）、虚拟现实（VR）和混合现实（MR）在内的虚拟现实和扩展现实（XR）正在通过增强训练、程序准确性和康复来改变骨科手术。然而，缺乏对这些新的虚拟工具的文献综述。这篇叙述性综述的目的是总结关于元宇宙的现有证据，并讨论当前和未来的临床应用。方法：对当前文献进行叙述性回顾，以评估XR工具及其各自的临床和教育效用。所有骨科亚专科的研究均符合纳入条件。每项研究中评估的XR工具都根据现实谱进行了分类，并讨论了未来的研究或临床应用。结果：XR是一种包括AR， VR和MR的技术谱，用于创建沉浸式和交互式外科培训环境。基于vr的模拟器可以通过允许受训者在无风险的环境中完善他们的技能来改善外科教育。AR可以增强术中引导，并在骨科中进行了研究，以提高植入物定位的准确性，减少关节镜和全关节置换术等手术中的并发症。在康复方面，AR和VR已被实施，以促进患者参与和依从性，通过游戏化治疗和远程远程康复促进功能恢复。结论：骨科护理已经发生了范式转变，其中数字工具与患者护理相结合，以优化患者结果。然而，广泛实施有前景的XR技术面临的挑战包括高成本、陡峭的学习曲线和有限的临床验证。伦理问题，包括数据安全和患者隐私，使其在临床环境中的使用进一步复杂化。未来的研究必须关注成本效益、标准化和改善可及性，以确保无缝整合到临床实践中。证据等级：V级。

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来源期刊

Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy 医学-外科

CiteScore

8.10

自引率

18.40%

发文量

418

审稿时长

2 months

期刊介绍： Few other areas of orthopedic surgery and traumatology have undergone such a dramatic evolution in the last 10 years as knee surgery, arthroscopy and sports traumatology. Ranked among the top 33% of journals in both Orthopedics and Sports Sciences, the goal of this European journal is to publish papers about innovative knee surgery, sports trauma surgery and arthroscopy. Each issue features a series of peer-reviewed articles that deal with diagnosis and management and with basic research. Each issue also contains at least one review article about an important clinical problem. Case presentations or short notes about technical innovations are also accepted for publication. The articles cover all aspects of knee surgery and all types of sports trauma; in addition, epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment and prevention, and all types of arthroscopy (not only the knee but also the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, ankle, etc.) are addressed. Articles on new diagnostic techniques such as MRI and ultrasound and high-quality articles about the biomechanics of joints, muscles and tendons are included. Although this is largely a clinical journal, it is also open to basic research with clinical relevance. Because the journal is supported by a distinguished European Editorial Board, assisted by an international Advisory Board, you can be assured that the journal maintains the highest standards. Official Clinical Journal of the European Society of Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery and Arthroscopy (ESSKA).