Title : Why rehabilitation following Total Joint Arthroplasty (TJA) should include a gait kinematic assessment and gait retraining
Abstract:
The prevalence of Osteo Arthritis (OA) of the hip or knee is considerable, with 9 million people in the UK and 33 million people in the US diagnosed. Of these, over 200,000 in the UK and 2 million in the US undergo Total Joint Arthroplasty (TJA). The way exercise programmes for OA and perioperative care for TJA patients is delivered has not changed for many years, and technology solutions are scarce. This includes mobility tests offered to OA patients and perioperative care to TJA patients.
Gait kinematic data for OA patients will be presented and hip and knee ranges compared to a healthy reference. The impact of these gait deficiencies in terms of altered forces on the other joints, will be described. Pre and post op data for TJA patients will also be presented, highlighting the continuation of gait kinematic deficiencies post op.
An AI driven solution developed to help OA and TJR patients understand their mobility issues and then to address them through personalised exercises will be described. Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) are mounted on to the lower limbs and their data used to calculate gait kinematics.This kinematic data is then used to identify muscle weakness and an AI solution provides a personalised exercise plan. The scientific approach, which does not reply on physiotherapy expertise, enables all patients to receive the same level of care. Progress through the rehabilitation programme is monitored, and exercises automatically altered as the gait changes.
Real world data from OA and TJR patients who have followed the rehabilitation programme will be presented. From this data, the short and long term benefits to patients and the health service will be discussed, including a reduced risk of falling, the need for a further TJR and independent living. Case studies will be presented as detailed examples.
