Near future image of orthopedics after COVID-19 pandemic.

ABSTRACT

The pandemic of the new coronavirus infection has swept the world and killed more than 5 million people, which has shocked all human beings who have believed in modern medical progress. Along with the sedation of infections, the balance between restriction and acceleration of socio-economic activities is difficult. With the spread of vaccines and the advent of viral therapeutic agents, we expect how to control this pandemic has finally become visible. In this situation, we realize that data science and robotics innovations are quite important in many medical fields. Artificial intelligence (AI) diagnosis and remote medical care are becoming a reality, and this direction will accelerate further in 2022, the first year of post-pandemic. The trend of digital transformation (Dx) will also be rushing into Orthopedics next year. In addition, research on virtual reality and augmented reality is being actively conducted, and it has become possible to use it for surgical simulation and technical training. As, in the field of abdominal surgery, remote robotic surgery will soon become available in the field of orthopedics as well. These Dx trend will prevail to our field instead of experience, and knowledge of medicine, which can change the medical care style dramatically in near future. It is crucial for orthopedic surgeons to always aim for its development and evolution.