Advancements in minimally invasive surgery, telemedicine and imaging technologies are just a few of the things on one surgeon's wishlist for 2024.
Hao-Hua Wu, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at UCI Health in Orange, Calif., connected with Becker's to answer, "How would you like the orthopedic industry to evolve in 2024?"
Note: This response has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Dr. Hao-Hua Wu: In 2024, I would like the orthopedic spine industry to continually push the advancements in minimally invasive surgical techniques, improved imaging technologies for surgical planning and navigation, personalized medicine based on individual patient characteristics, integration of data analytics and artificial intelligence for enhanced decision-making, the expansion of telemedicine and remote monitoring solutions, innovative patient education and engagement tools, and continued collaboration with professionals from diverse disciplines. These trends would optimize patient outcomes, improve surgical precision, and contribute to a more patient-centered and holistic approach to spine care.