Orthopedics is navigating a pivotal moment as surgeons balance rising clinical demands with rapid advances in technology and care delivery. From infection prevention to outpatient surgery and artificial intelligence, leaders see both pressing challenges and exciting opportunities shaping the specialty’s future.
Editor’s note: Responses have been lightly edited for clarity and length.
Question: What do you see as the biggest challenge — and biggest opportunity — for orthopedic surgeons today?
Lisa Cannada, MD. Orthopedic Trauma Surgeon at Novant Health Orthopedic Fracture Clinic (Charlotte, N.C.): The biggest challenge is managing increasingly complex trauma cases while facing system pressures such as staffing shortages, rising costs and documentation burdens. With more polytrauma patients and an aging population with multiple comorbidities, procedures are becoming longer and more resource intensive.
The biggest opportunity lies in the expansion of ASCs across subspecialties, with more complex cases moving outpatient. Advances in AI and machine learning also offer unprecedented possibilities for improving safety, outcomes and efficiency.
Jens Chapman, MD. Orthopedic Spine Surgeon at Swedish Medical Center (Seattle): The challenge is combining efficiency and precision while serving as the patient’s strongest advocate. In an aging population with growing musculoskeletal needs, that role can be undermined by fragmentation, subspecialization and the drive to do more procedures.
The opportunity is for orthopedic surgeons to act as the integrative force for musculoskeletal care, focused primarily on patients, and to cement their role in the future healthcare environment.
Antonia Chen, MD. Chair of the UT Southwestern Department of Orthopaedic Surgery (Dallas): The biggest challenge remains orthopedic infections, especially periprosthetic infections. Despite prevention and treatment strategies, infections persist.
The greatest opportunity is to develop new ways to prevent infections — from preoperative optimization to intraoperative solutions and postoperative care — to significantly reduce infection risk.
At the Becker’s 32nd Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs, taking place October 29-31 in Chicago, ASC leaders, surgeons and healthcare executives will explore strategies to drive growth, enhance operational performance, navigate reimbursement challenges and prepare for the future of ambulatory surgery. Apply for complimentary registration now.