Background: Computer-assisted orthopaedic surgery (CAOS) has great advantages in precise determination of focus, planning an optimal surgical project and assuring the success of operation. In adopting CAOS, China is facing many problems, gaining experience and learning lessons.
Methods: A literature review of the current development of CAOS in China and case studies, including adopted CAOS systems, CAOS clinical applications in the orthopaedic field and emerging CAOS research in China was carried out. Experience and lessons gained through adopting CAOS in China are also illustrated and analysed.
Results and discussion: In the course of investigating the current development of CAOS in China, existing problems were analysed, experience gained and lessons illustrated.
Conclusions: By summarizing the Chinese experience and lessons of adopting CAOS, we not only deliver an in-depth understanding of present CAOS development and give advice for future CAOS development in China; this also has implications for other developing countries where CAOS development is burgeoning.