Impact of Sensor Technology in Knee OA

BACKGROUND: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a significant problem in the adult population. With a prevalence of 10-13% in individuals over age 60,(4) knee OA results in a significant reduction in quality of life and increased economic costs to both the individual with knee OA and the medical system as a whole. Exercise is a key component of management of knee OA, resulting in decreased pain and increased function.(3) Potential barriers to exercise in subjects with knee OA is lack of motivation or professional support.(5) Both of these barriers can be addressed with remote patient monitoring. Remote patient monitoring will allow a physical therapist to monitor the activity levels and progress of each subject, and make adjustments throughout the duration the rehab program. Wearable technology has begun to disrupt conventional methods of healthcare delivery. Wearable technology can allow for remote patient monitoring and self monitoring for subjects with OA. The ODK is a novel wearable device which has previously been tested in subjects with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions, but has not yet been tested in individuals with knee OA. The ODK allows for tracking of knee range of motion, frontal plane kinematics, sagittal plane kinematics, exercise progress, time spent walking/standing/sitting/kneeling, and time spent sedentary. These measures can help to provide useful information to the patient on potential mitigating factors in their knee OA and provide real time feedback about joint kinematics. This study will investigate the effects of the ODK used in a medial off-loader brace with remote patient monitoring. This randomized control trial will have 2 groups: A control group receiving a medial unloader brace and a personalized home exercise program, and an intervention group which will receive an ODK in a medial off-loader brace, and a home exercise program with remote patient monitoring. These subjects will be followed for 12 weeks and assessed for changes in pain, function, and quality of life.