Patients with knee osteoarthritis are often limited in their  physical activity and experience a reduction in their quality of life. An adequate amount of physical activity, and the resulting joint loading is of  great importance in slowing down the progression of the disease. However, it is very difficult for patients to determine an acceptable duration and intensity of activity to consequently avoid overloading, pain and loss of function. Mobile healthcare technologies can provide support in finding an adequate loading level and can expand existing preventive interventions. Objective feedback on the state of movement and load of the affected knee joint can provide specific adjustment of movement behavior. The aims of this research project are to test whether an intelligent knee brace is able to estimate the load condition in the knee joint with sufficient accuracy and the evaluation of a four-week use of the intelligent knee brace on the physical activity behavior and the pain level of patients with gonarthrosis.

Duration

• 2022 - 2026

Partners

• Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA