Computer Assisted Surgery (CAS) is an emerging field in adult reconstructive surgery. I believe that we are on the cusp of an era where computer assistance will become a standard tool for use in joint replacement surgery. The reasons are simple. There are limits to the accuracy and reproducibility of a procedure when we use mechanical instruments in human anatomy that varies with every case. CAS can be thought of as a GPS system for surgery that allows for accuracy within one degree or one millimeter. Essentially, it takes the surgeons capabilities beyond human capability-technology enhancing Nature much as avionics do for jet pilots. I am actively involved in the research and development of CAS for joint replacement surgery.

Computer Aided Surgery involves using glow-balls similar to those used in animated motion pictures. These glow-balls orient the joint and surrounding anatomy in 3-D and allow complex modeling to assist in surgical decisions intra-operatively. Below is an animated movie depicting the computer reading the glow-balls during surgery.