When AI Gives You an Answer, But Not Always the Right Diagnosis
If your knee, shoulder, hip, or whole-body hurts, it's understandable that you want answers quickly. Many people do the following: they search online, read about possible causes, and ask AI what might be wrong.
That curiosity is a good thing. Being informed helps you become an active part of your healthcare decision making. The challenge for any patient is knowing where information ends and diagnosis begins.
I see many patients coming into my orthopedic office with a diagnosis they've made based on an AI response. They may believe they have a torn meniscus, a rotator cuff tear, or a condition that requires surgery before they've even seen a doctor, had a physical exam, or any imaging studies.
Sometimes the patient’s AI diagnosis is correct. Sometimes, it is very wrong.
Why are patients looking for answers outside the doctor's office?
It's easy to understand why people are turning to AI. Healthcare today is very complicated. You may need to wait for an appointment to see a doctor. Getting an answer for your symptoms may take time or additional testing. Your testing may be delayed due to the need for prior authorization from your insurance. Living with pain while waiting can be very frustrating.
AI is very convenient for patients. It responds immediately and can explain medical terms in simple and plain language that many doctors have difficulty articulating. Unfortunately, a quick answer isn't always a reliable answer. A medical diagnosis isn't just about matching symptoms to a list of conditions. It's about understanding the details that make your situation unique. In addition, some conditions may not present like a “classic” textbook case which would be missed by AI.
Orthopedic diagnosis requires more than symptoms
Many orthopedic conditions share the same symptoms. Shoulder pain doesn't automatically mean you have a rotator cuff tear. It could come from tendon inflammation, arthritis, bursitis, instability, or even a problem in your neck. Knee pain doesn't always mean a meniscus injury. It may be related to arthritis, muscle weakness, tendon problems, ligamentous instability, or a problem in your hip or back.
This is why an orthopedic evaluation involves more than asking, "Where does it hurt?" As a doctor, I look at how you move, how strong your muscles are, whether your joints are stable, what activities make your symptoms better or worse, and how your exam findings match your imaging. Those details from physical exam combined with your history often help determine the correct diagnosis.
Imaging can help, but it doesn't make the decision by itself
Many patients believe an MRI will provide a clear answer. Sometimes it does, but imaging findings must be interpreted in the context of the person sitting in front of me. It's common to find changes on an MRI that aren't causing pain. It's also possible to have significant symptoms with only minor imaging findings. There are also times when I disagree with the radiologist’s findings. As a result, two patients can have similar MRI results and receive different treatment recommendations because their symptoms, mechanism of injury, and physical exams are different.
Where can AI help? Where does it fall short?
AI can be useful. It can help explain medical terms, organize questions, and may give patients a starting point for learning about their condition. Just remember, AI doesn't examine your joint. It doesn't test your strength. It doesn't see how you walk or move. It doesn't know how your pain affects your work, your hobbies, or your daily life. It also can't take responsibility for a treatment decision. I have personally tested AI and found there are times when it is wrong and provided incorrect “published” information. When I have addressed this with AI, the response by AI has been “Sorry”, even in instances where the published studies AI quoted didn’t even exist. AI also struggles to recognize when it doesn’t know the answer to a problem or question. As a result, AI will respond with fabricated facts and information.
The risk of trusting an incorrect diagnosis
The biggest concern isn't that patients use AI. The concern by physicians is when patients use an AI-generated answer to become the final answer and won’t listen to other possible diagnosis or treatment options. A wrong diagnosis can lead to unnecessary worry, delayed treatment, or pursuing a treatment that doesn't address the real problem.
For example, someone may become convinced they need surgery when a strengthening program and physical therapy are the better first steps. Another person may assume an injury is minor when it deserves a closer evaluation and/or surgery to fix. A recent study published in Nature Medicine evaluated lay people using AI for medical conditions. In this study, AI only identified the correct condition 34.5% of the time. When the diagnosis was accurate, AI only gave the correct advice 44.2% of the time. There were several instances where it missed major medical emergencies. As a result, even though AI can be a faster option for patients, getting the correct diagnosis will save time in the long run, reduce frustration, and help you recover sooner.
Best care happens when patients and doctors work together
1. If you've used AI before your appointment, bring it up to your doctor.
2. Your questions and concerns are important. Understanding what you've read helps your doctor explain the reasoning behind your diagnosis and treatment plan.
3. The goal isn't to dismiss technology. The goal is to use it wisely.
The bottom line
AI is a powerful tool, but it isn't a replacement for an orthopedic surgeon or physician. The best diagnosis comes from combining your history, a thorough physical exam, appropriate imaging, and years of medical experience. Technology can provide information. A trusted healthcare doctor can explain and heal you in ways that AI is unable to do at this time. The right answer comes from taking the time to understand the whole picture for every single patient.