Observing Recovery from Knee-Replacement Surgery by Using Wearable Sensors

A progressive improvement in gait following knee arthroplasty surgery can be observed during walking and transitional activities such as sitting/standing. Accurate assessment of such changes traditionally requires the use of a gait lab, which is often impractical, expensive, and labour intensive. Quantifying gait impairment following knee arthroplasty by employing wearable sensors allows for continuous monitoring of recovery. This study employed a recognised protocol of activities both pre-operatively, and at regular intervals up to twenty-four weeks post-total knee arthroplasty. The results suggest that a wearable miniaturised ear-worn sensor is potentially useful in monitoring post-operative recovery, and in identifying patients who fail to improve as expected, thus facilitating early clinical review and intervention.