AI in Orthopaedics
Fracture detection on X-ray is the most mature AI use in orthopaedics, with cleared tools used as a second reader. Robotic arthroplasty and AI planning are in use but their added benefit over standard care is still being shown. Outcome prediction models remain mostly research.
What AI does in Orthopaedics
Flags fractures across limbs, ribs and spine. A 2025 review reports accuracy often between 85 and 95% across sites.
Examples: Gleamer BoneView, Radiobotics RBfracture
Robots follow a pre-planned bone cut and implant position.
Examples: Stryker Mako
Measures angles and alignment on long-leg films and plans implants.
Examples: Vendor planning software
Sorts fracture type, for example AO class, from images.
Examples: Academic models
Models grade knee osteoarthritis such as Kellgren-Lawrence.
Examples: Academic models
Predict infection, length of stay or revision using hospital data.
Examples: Local registries
routine = in everyday use in many centres · early adoption = in use at some sites, evidence still building · research = studies only
Key ideas for this specialty
New to the basics? Start with the theory lessons.
Tools
AI fracture detection on X-rays for adults and children.
Regulatory status: FDA 510(k) cleared (2022); CE mark class IIa (2020)
Automatic fracture detection on X-rays.
Regulatory status: Not listed
Robotic-arm system for knee, hip and shoulder surgery.
Regulatory status: Not listed
Indian company with imaging AI; check which products cover musculoskeletal films.
Regulatory status: Not listed
Stanford open dataset of musculoskeletal radiographs for abnormality detection.
Regulatory status: Not listed
Open dataset for fracture classification, localisation and segmentation.
Regulatory status: Not listed
A listing here is not an endorsement. Ask any vendor for its CDSCO licence and class before clinical use.
Where to learn
Three courses on image diagnosis, prognosis and treatment models. Needs basic Python.
No-maths introduction to what AI can and cannot do. Good first step.
Talks and symposium recordings on medical AI.
Orthopaedic-specific introduction to machine learning and trauma applications.
Maps 217 studies, 2015-2025.
Trauma education body; check for digital and AI sessions.
Do it yourself
Download the dataset. Fine-tune a small pre-trained image model in Colab for normal versus abnormal. Look at the images it gets wrong.
Open the dataset or tool →Take one validation study of a cleared tool. Check external validation, which fractures were missed, and who the readers were.
Open the dataset or tool →Use public or properly de-identified data only, and get ethics approval before any project on your own patients.
Papers worth reading
- Artificial intelligence in orthopedic trauma: a comprehensive review Injury, 2025
- Artificial intelligence in orthopedic trauma surgery: a scoping review of current applications Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, 2026
Societies and guidance
US body; check its resources for AI statements.
Trauma and fracture education.
Links checked 3 October 2026. “Not listed” means we could not confirm the detail, not that it is absent. Educational material, not clinical advice.