It’s all about minimizing invasive procedures when it comes to orthopedic surgery today. Fittingly, some of the biggest breakthroughs in orthopedic surgery equipment are involved with making equipment smaller, more portable and easier to use. Take spinal procedures for example, as nearly 600,000 Americans annually require some form of back surgery. The latest breakthroughs in equipment come through improved visualization so surgeons can see what they’re doing clearly. Advances are being made in the ability to reduce glare and increase illumination inside incisions. New spinal instruments feature low-profile ergonomic hand-held devices with integrated suction. Smaller incisions are the new standard of care, so seeing better inside the procedures are key to successful outcomes and cost savings.

Just as better sight is all-important in the new orthopedic surgeries, sound is important, too. Advances are being made in creating intelligent orthopedic surgical platforms that rely on ultrasonic sensing of position and mechanical alignments. Sensors, microelectronics and wireless communications are being incorporated into orthopedic operating systems to reduce the invasive nature of procedures, save time and ultimately money. New surgical platforms transform joint and spine procedures through the use of sensors to balance soft tissue, conduct mechanical alignments, implant intelligently and solve issues through evidence-based analytics. Getting the procedures right the first time cuts back dramatically the need for revision surgery, costs of which are expected to amount to $8.6 billion.

Sophisticated surgical scopes and instrumentation are part of the new breakthroughs in the orthopedic field. Because the surgery is less invasive, athletes and everyone for that matter are able to return to playing fields or working worlds much more quickly. Operating rooms are featuring custom-designed technologies and integrated smart rooms. Laser back treatment is revolutionizing orthopedics. Laser equipment used in endoscopic surgery means less chance of infection, less invasion and less tissue damage, faster recovery and more precision. Computer-assisted navigation for hip replacement and the use of robotic systems allows surgeons to make small incisions. Previous surgery required incisions as large as the problem area, while breakthroughs in miniaturization and visualization allows for small incisions like keyholes.