Abstract:Objective To explore the application effect and safety of mixed reality visualization technology in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA), and to improve the treatment efficiency and safety of KOA surgery.Methods A total of 102 patients with KOA admitted to our hospital from January 2020 to January 2025 were selected. Among them, 52 patients who underwent high tibial osteotomy (HTO) assisted by mixed reality visualization technology were assigned to the observation group, and 50 patients who underwent HTO assisted by a 3D-printed guide plate were assigned to the control group. The visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, knee joint function Lysholm scores, and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores of the two groups before and after surgery were evaluated. The posterior tibial slope (PTS), femorotibial angle (FTA), and proximal medial tibial angle (MPTA) of the two groups before and after surgery were measured. The operation time, tourniquet time, and intraoperative X-ray radiation dose of the two groups were recorded. The occurrence of postoperative complications was observed in both groups.Results For VAS scores at preoperative, 3 months postoperative, and 6 months postoperative: (1) there were significant differences across different time points (P < 0.05); (2) there were no significant differences between the two groups (P > 0.05); (3) the changing trends of VAS scores did not differ significantly between the two groups (P > 0.05). For Lysholm and WOMAC scores: (1) there were significant differences across different time points (P < 0.05); (2) there were no significant differences between the two groups (P > 0.05); (3) the changing trends of Lysholm and WOMAC scores did not differ significantly between the two groups (P > 0.05). For PTS, FTA, and MPTA: (1) there were significant differences across different time points (P < 0.05); (2) there were significant differences between the two groups (P < 0.05), with the observation group showing lower PTS and FTA and higher MPTA than the control group; (3) the changing trends of FTA and MPTA differed significantly between the two groups (P < 0.05), while the changing trend of PTS did not differ significantly between the two groups (P > 0.05). The observation group had significantly shorter operation time and tourniquet time, and lower intraoperative X-ray radiation dose than the control group (all P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the overall incidence of complications between the two groups (P > 0.05).Conclusion Mixed reality visualization technology and 3D-printed guide plate technology have equally excellent functional efficacy and safety profiles. Both can improve knee joint function in patients, enhance surgical efficiency, and reduce intraoperative X-ray radiation dose.