Johnson & Johnson Launches VIRTUGUIDE System in the U.S

Johnson & Johnson MedTech, a global leader in orthopaedic technologies and solutions, announced the launch of the VIRTUGUIDE™ System. This AI-powered, patient-matched solution is designed to support Lapidus procedures, a type of bunion surgery that helps realign the foot by joining two bones near the arch (the first metatarsal bone and the medial cuneiform). The system uses pre-operative planning software, developed in collaboration with PeekMed^®, to assess each patient’s bunion and make personalized recommendations for the intended correction.

Bunions are among the most common foot problems, affecting nearly one-third of adults in the U.S., yet traditional Lapidus surgery to treat the condition is often challenging. The VIRTUGUIDE™ AI Lapidus System addresses this by enabling a streamlined approach and reducing surgical complexity. Early users estimated procedural time savings of at least 30 minutes when using the system compared to their previous technique.




“VIRTUGUIDE™ has completely transformed my approach to bunion surgery, making a complex Lapidus procedure significantly easier and faster. Since adopting VIRTUGUIDE™, my surgical corrections have been spot-on—what I plan preoperatively is exactly what I achieve in the operating room,” said Michael Campbell, M.D., FAAOS, a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon at Atlantic Orthopaedic Specialists. “This improved accuracy leads to better outcomes, and the ability to present the pre-operative plan to my patients helps address their questions and ease their concerns.”

“The VIRTUGUIDE™ System is a pivotal advancement in AI-powered surgical precision for treating bunion deformities—a common, painful, and potentially debilitating condition affecting nearly one-third of Americans,” said Oray Boston, Worldwide President of Trauma, Extremities, Craniomaxillofacial, Animal Health and Sports Medicine, Orthopaedics, Johnson & Johnson MedTech. “This milestone marks an important step forward, as VIRTUGUIDE™ becomes the latest addition to our growing portfolio of VELYS™ Enabling Tech solutions. By automating surgical planning and tailoring instrumentation to each patient, the system helps reduce complexity in the operating room and helps surgeons to achieve the intended correction.