Virtual Reality Simulation for Orthopedic Surgical Training: A Review of Systematic Reviews .

The growing demand for safer, cost-effective surgical education has sparked interest in virtual reality (VR) simulation as an alternative to traditional orthopedic training models. Across six SRs, most offered narrative summaries and two completed meta-analyses, with both approaches generally supporting VR as a helpful tool for improving orthopedic surgical skills. Despite promising results, the evidence base remains limited by small sample sizes, varied training protocols, and industry involvement in several studies. Stronger trials—ideally large, well-designed, independently funded RCTs that also test whether VR-learned skills transfer into real surgical settings—are still needed to understand the true value of VR in orthopedic education.