From Injury to Full Recovery: Monitoring Patient Progress Through Advanced Sensor and Motion Capture Technology

 Background: Advanced sensor insoles and motion capture technology can significantly enhance the monitoring of rehabilitation progress for patients with distal tibial fractures. This study leverages the potential of these innovative tools to provide a more comprehensive assessment of a patient’s gait and weight-bearing capacity following surgical intervention, thereby offering the possibility of improved patient outcomes. Methods: A patient who underwent distal medial tibial plating surgery in August 2023 and subsequently required revision surgery due to implant failure, involving plate removal and the insertion of an intramedullary nail in December 2023, was meticulously monitored over a 12-week period. Initial assessments in November 2023 revealed pain upon full weight-bearing without crutches. Following the revision, precise weekly measurements were taken, starting two days after surgery, which instilled confidence in accurately tracking the patient’s progress from initial crutch-assisted walking to full recovery. The monitoring tools included insoles, hand pads for force absorption of the crutches, and a motion capture system. The patient was accompanied throughout all steps of his daily life. Objectives: The study aimed to evaluate the hypothesis that the approximation and formation of a healthy gait curve are decisive tools for monitoring healing. Specifically, it investigated whether cadence, imbalance factors, and ground reaction forces could be significant indicators of healing status and potential disorders. Results: The gait parameters, cadence, factor of imbalance ground reaction forces, and the temporal progression of kinematic parameters significantly correlate with the patient’s recovery trajectory. These metrics enable the early identification of deviations from expected healing patterns, facilitating timely interventions and underscoring the transformative potential of these technologies in patient care. Conclusions: Integrating sensor insoles and motion capture technology offers a promising approach for monitoring the recovery process in patients with distal tibial fractures. This method provides valuable insights into the patient’s healing status, potentially predicting and addressing healing disorders more effectively. Future studies are recommended to validate these findings in a larger cohort and explore the potential integration of these technologies into clinical practice.