PATIENTS in Scotland will be the first in Europe to trial a device which allows doctors to monitor knee replacement patients at home.
A motion tracker is attached to patients which synchronises with an app to monitor the range of motion in their new knee. The device allows the arthroplasty team to monitor patients who have had knee replacement surgery, with an aim of improving recovery.
Patients should aim to achieve a range of motion of at least 90 degrees flexion at six weeks, with 120 degrees seen as significant progress.
The app runs patients through a daily exercise routine and records the results from the motion tracker. Consultants receive regular updates and can provide up-to-date advice to the patient before their six-week check-up.
Frederic Picard, orthopaedic consultant at the Golden Jubilee, said: “As one of the largest elective orthopaedic centres in Europe, it is a real honour for the Golden Jubilee to be the first hospital testing this new device.
“Sometimes patients can feel frustrated if they are not making as much of a recovery as they would have hoped for, but with this device, they can see for themselves that they are making real progress. It also helps educate patients and show how the exercises will benefit them and their new knee.”
“It is hoped this new device will significantly improve recovery for patients having knee surgery, allowing consultants to check on their progress more regularly, whether they stay 20 or 200 miles away.”
Wendy Dunnett, one of the first patients to trial the tracker, said: “The remote control knee device was a massive help to me as I carried out exercises to build strength up in my knee.
“I could see on a daily basis how I was progressing and it really motivated me to keep doing my physio and encouraged me to do the best I could. It was also really reassuring that I was able to see I was doing the right exercise in the right way.
“I would recommend this device to all knee patients and hope it will benefit lots more patients. It was a huge help in my recovery.”
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