[Virtual reality in orthopedics: principles, possibilities and perspectives].

Virtual Reality is a new form of human-machine interface. Virtual Reality integrates the human into the virtual world of the computer. Concerning existing Virtual Reality programs and 3D-graphics in medicine this article shows possibilities and perspectives for orthopedic surgery. Using Virtual Reality the orthopedic specialist is able to improve the diagnosis, the planning and supporting of operations just as new ways of teaching and training. Virtual Reality (VR) assists disabled individuals in improving the quality of life an working with computers. Principles will be discussed in respect to the four categories Immersive VR, Desktop VR, Pseudo VR and Inverse VR.