AAOS 2025: Five Disruptive Orthopedic Technologies Reshaping the Future of Surgery

Recently, at the AAOS 2025 Annual Meeting (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) held in San Diego, companies such as Stryker, Smith & Nephew, and Johnson & Johnson announced important information regarding product advancements, clinical data, and innovative achievements in the orthopedic field.

The following are some highlights of this year's annual meeting worth paying attention to:

Stryker Launches New Generation of Orthopedic Robots

Orthopedic Giant Stryker Officially Launches the New Generation Mako Robotic Surgery Platform — Mako 4 at AAOS 2025 Annual Meeting, Also Known as Stryker's Fourth-Generation Orthopedic Robot. As an Integrated Robotic Platform, the System Offers Enhanced Operational Experience in Hip Replacement, Total Knee Replacement, Unicompartmental Knee Replacement, and Spinal Surgery, and Also Incorporates Stryker’s Fourth-Generation Guidance System.

Notably, the Mako system has introduced the world's first robotic-assisted hip revision function, which significantly optimizes the workflow of complex hip revision surgeries through innovative features such as bone cement filling, screw path planning, and intraoperative screw trajectory navigation. In addition, the Mako spine and shoulder application modules have officially been added to its intelligent robotic suite.

The product is expected to be fully launched in the U.S. in the second half of this year.

Johnson & Johnson Medical Showcases Orthopedic Innovation Solutions

Johnson & Johnson Medical announced at the AAOS 2025 Annual Meeting that multiple orthopedic products have received regulatory approvals: the VOLT Variable Angle Optimized Locking Technology Plate System obtained CE certification, and the Inhance Intact Shoulder System received FDA 510(k) clearance.

VOLT System Innovatively Combines Dynamic Compression with Variable Angle Locking Technology, Launched in the U.S. Last Fall and Set to Enter the European Market This Year. The Inhance Intact Specialized Instrument Set, Paired with the TruMatch 3D Preoperative Planning Cloud System, Enables Personalized Shoulder Joint Anatomical Reconstruction While Preserving the Subscapularis Muscle.

In addition, during the exhibition, Johnson & Johnson also showcased a series of innovative products, such as the Velys orthopedic surgical robot, Kincise surgical automation system, Attune knee system, Sigma HP implants, and the new generation Velys spine navigation platform, among other cutting-edge products.

Smith & Nephew Explores New Field of "Spatial Surgery"

Smith & Nephew announced before the meeting its official entry into a new field of arthroscopic surgery – "spatial surgery," redefining sports medicine. The aim is to build an intelligent surgical platform through personalized planning, augmented reality, and real-time data processing.

Currently, its developed augmented reality spatial surgery system TESSA has been submitted for FDA approval. It is reported that the system utilizes real-time tracking technology driven by NVIDIA GPUs, combined with real-time tracking devices and enhanced AR (augmented reality) navigation functions, which can assist doctors in accurately positioning the femoral tunnel during anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

The TESSA system consists of three parts: real-time tracking devices based on NVIDIA GPU high-performance computing platforms, augmented reality navigation via head-mounted AR devices or operating room displays, and AI algorithms that optimize surgical pathways using machine learning. Once approved for market release, it will signify the transition of spatial surgery from concept to practical application and is expected to become a significant branch in the field of sports medicine.

Zimmer Biomet Focuses on Comprehensive Orthopedic Solutions

Zimmer Biomet showcased its full range of hip joint product portfolios at the conference, including the new Z1 Hip Femoral Stem System, as well as innovative achievements in knee and upper limb reconstruction technologies and robotic solutions. The company also launched the ZBX Ambulatory Surgery Center Solution同期, which can customize personalized surgical plans according to doctors' needs.

Zimmer Biomet CEO Ivan Tornos said, "From cementless/metal-sensitive knee systems to bone-preserving stemless shoulder systems, combined with enhanced outpatient surgery solutions, we are driving innovation centered on customer needs, continuously improving surgical efficiency and patient outcomes."

Apple Health Data Supports Orthopedic Postoperative Evaluation

Research teams from Oregon and Maryland have released a groundbreaking study: by analyzing mobile data from the Apple Health app on iPhones, they can objectively assess postoperative recovery in lower limb trauma.

The study collected five parameters from patients, including step count, gait symmetry, and double support time, and found a significant correlation between step count and patients' self-assessed physical function. Currently, the team is developing a corresponding application, which will automatically collect health data at the patient's first visit in the future, greatly expanding the research sample size.

Editor: Muyan

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