Editorial Commentary: Machine Learning in Orthopaedics: Venturing Into the Valley of Despair

Abstract

Machine learning, a subset of artificial intelligence, has become increasingly common in the analysis of orthopaedic data. The resources needed to utilize machine-learning approaches for data analysis have become increasingly accessible to researchers, contributing to a recent influx of research using these techniques. As machine learning becomes increasingly available, misapplication owing to a lack of competence becomes more common. Sensationalized titles, misused vernacular, and a failure to fully vet machine learning-derived algorithms are just a few issues that warrant attention. As the orthopaedic community's knowledge on this topic grows, the flaws in our understanding of this field will likely become apparent, allowing for rectification and ultimately improvement of how machine learning is utilized in research.