Application of virtual reality in hip joint surgery

Hip joint disease resulting from a structural abnormality, various surgeries for correcting abnormal stress distribution can be useful to prevent the progression of the disease. However, it is difficult to confirm the optimal procedure for surgery. To deal with this problem, this paper devised a method to support preoperative planning. Hip images obtained by computed tomography were loaded into our program, and a virtual hip joint model was created. Then the pressure distribution on the hip joint was analyzed with a rigid-body spring analysis. This system has two modules: a data preparation module and a mechanical analysis virtual environment module. The data preparation module is used to build up three-dimensional stereoscopic figure of the hip joint. With the biomechanics method, the mechanical analysis virtual environment module evaluates the human hip joint to prepare relevant dates for the osteotomy. So the advantages and disadvantages of various surgical methods can be examined biomechanically prior to surgery. This system should be further improved on the decision-making veracity in practical application.