From Visualization to Execution: The Role of Augmented Reality in Foot and Ankle Surgery

the operative field, interrupting procedural flow and increasing cognitive load.The development of extended reality (XR) offers a potential solution to these challenges.XR serves as an umbrella term encompassing virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR).3 VR completely immerses the user in a simulated environment and has been widely applied in surgical education and training, providing a risk-free, repeatable setting for developing technical skills.4 In contrast, AR and MR enhance the real world by superimposing digital elements onto the user's actual environment.This characteristic makes AR particularly well-suited for intraoperative use, as it augments-rather than replaces-the surgeon's perception of the operative field, enabling a seamless integration of digital planning with real-time surgical execution.