Source: Becker's Spine Review
Orthopedic surgeon Daniel Buchalter, MD, has been on the forefront of orthopedic technology in his training and early career.
Dr. Buchalter of Carmel, N.Y.-based Somers Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine Group, part of Health Plus Management, discussed the orthopedic technologies he thinks will rise and how the healthcare landscape will adapt.
Note: This conversation was lightly edited for clarity.
Question: Can you talk about some of the technologies you're using in your practice, and what's really exciting you in that realm?
Dr. Daniel Buchalter: I consider myself very lucky. At New York City-based Hospital for Special Surgery, I got to train with the designers of the design rationales for the robotic systems and implants that are used every day around the world. That opportunity gave me the chance to truly, from the ground up, understand the way that our implants and surgical technologies work, including the history of their design and the goals that our profession has for them in the future. With that training, I'm very excited to be able to offer patients cutting-edge cementless total hip and knee replacement designs, advanced minimally-invasive approaches, and computer- and robotic-assisted technologies to perform precise and accurate primary and revision joint replacements.
Some specific future technologies that are exciting are the introduction of augmented reality and artificial intelligence in total joint replacement. While still very early in its development, as we pair augmented reality with current robotic and computer platforms, I think that there is a huge opportunity to improve not only the care of our patients, but also the training of medical professionals and the teaching of patients.
Additionally, at some point in the not too distant future, artificial intelligence will enable us to properly interpret all of the sophisticated data that we collect before, during, and after each technology-assisted joint replacement that we perform. I feel strongly that through the use of computer or robotic surgical technology, AI will help standardize the way that we treat all of our patients, leading to both more efficient care and better outcomes.
