AI assists surgeons in knee operations for ACL tears

An artificial intelligence system is being developed at the University of Applied Sciences (MCI) Innsbruck to aid surgeons in treating anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears, a common sports injury. The AI aims to assist medical professionals in making more informed decisions during knee surgeries.

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The AI can help them make the right decisions before and during the procedure.

Jasper Volmer, a research assistant at MCI, is leading the development of the algorithm that forms the backbone of this AI. While surgeons will continue to perform the operations, the AI is designed to offer guidance before and during the procedure. "The AI can help them make the right decisions before and during the procedure," Volmer stated.

The AI analyzes data from over 500 ACL reconstruction surgeries. It assists in two critical decision-making areas. Firstly, it provides recommendations on the optimal graft choice for replacing the torn ligament, considering factors like the hamstring tendon, quadriceps tendon, or patellar tendon, each with its own risks and recovery times. "The final decision lies with the doctors," Volmer emphasized.

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The final decision lies with the doctors.

Secondly, the AI advises on whether to perform a lateral extra-articular tenodesis, an additional procedure to enhance knee stability, particularly during rotational movements, and reduce the risk of re-tearing the ligament. The AI considers various factors, including bone geometry, patient age, and whether the patient is a professional athlete or a hobbyist, to advise for or against this supplementary surgery. Volmer noted that the AI can likely evaluate these complex factors more quickly and accurately than a human.

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What it probably does better than a human is evaluate the many individual factors in their entirety quickly, efficiently, and accurately.