Covid-19 has impacted our daily lives in many ways, disrupting our routines, changing the way we work, the way we interact with each other and redefining our priorities. In healthcare, surgical services had to be reorganized in response to public health emergencies and many patients have found their elective and non-emergency surgeries postponed. Among many consequences of the pandemic, medical students have been deprived of the opportunity to learn surgical techniques through hands-on practice.
But covid 19 has acted as something of a catalyst, fostering innovations and accelerating the implementation of AR and VR in healthcare. Let’s discuss how AR and VR are beneficial to the future of orthopedics.

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Augmented reality versus Virtual Reality

Augmented reality (AR) is an interactive experience of a real-world environment whereby digital information is overlaid onto the physical world. Virtual reality (VR) is a simulated experience that allows you to immerse yourself and interact in a digitally created world. In orthopedics, both augmented reality and virtual reality have found applications. VR has proven to be a powerful training tool for students and surgeons whereas AR has been used to plan and perform orthopedic surgeries.

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Virtual reality as a training tool for medical students despite the pandemic

A study published in the International Journal of Surgery in July 2021 reported that only 9% of trainees across the UK say they would definitely meet all required competencies for the training period. In fact, surgery trainees are getting less hands-on experience than ever,  as the pandemic continues.
In response, platforms such as precision OS offer promising solutions. Thanks to VR, students and surgeons can keep training and gain proficiency when it comes to learning surgical techniques and new procedures even outside of the operating room.

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Augmented reality as an assistant to orthopedic surgeons

In contrast, augmented reality is mainly used in the operating room to assist surgeons in performing surgery. It gives surgeons “x-ray vision” allowing them to visualize internal anatomy and providing interactive guidance for a more accurate orthopedic procedure. Among other players, Augmedics has developed xvision Spine, a cutting-edge technology helping them to accurately navigate instruments and implants while looking directly at the patient, rather than a remote screen.
AR can also facilitate collaboration between healthcare professionals thanks to augmented reality-assisted telesurgery.

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It’s clear that VR and AR are opening the door to easier, faster and safer surgeries. A trainee that can rehearse a surgical procedure 100 times a day is more likely to gain confidence and autonomy in performing surgery.
Accordingly, the global AR and VR in healthcare market is expected to grow rapidly, with AR generating $1,918.6 million by 2026.

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