A new app designed for patients requiring knee replacement surgery has been developed by Australia's leading scientific agency, in a greater push to assist people prepare for, and recover from, the important surgery.
The app, designed in collaboration between the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) and Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices, will aim to reduce the recovery time and offer better rehabilitation techniques.
Dr Rob Grenfell from the CSIRO said the technology had the potential to make a huge difference to patient recovery by providing patients with practical information - including physiotherapy demonstration videos, pre-surgery checklists, reminders and supportive information in text, video and audio format.
"The aim of our digital health platforms is to support patients on their surgery journey and recovery," Grenfell said in statement released on Thursday.
"As more Australians face surgical treatment for osteoarthritis, more work needs to be done to understand how we can deliver accessible and cost effective services for patients and clinicians.
"This study will allow us to understand the ways in which the app changes the patient experience."
Dr Michael Hunter from the Australian Orthopaedic Association said engaging with patients throughout their recovery was crucial during the later stages of rehabilitation, and added that the app would help patients to "stay on track."
"Studies have demonstrated that sound pre-operative preparation and post-operative rehabilitative exercises following a total knee replacement can improve outcomes by increasing muscle strength, improving joint function, restoring functional mobility, preventing deep vein thrombosis and shortening recovery times," Hunter said.
"The online portal will also provide instant access to patient recovery data enabling clinicians to act upon progress in real time fashion."
Meanwhile Gavin Fox-Smith from Johnson & Johnson said the collaboration and the trial of the app will provide "additional support" to clinicians and patients undergoing knee replacement surgery.
"We are committed to improving surgical outcomes to support a patient's journey from pre-surgery education and exercises to post-operative compliance and return to wellness," Fox-Smith said in a statement.
"We believe that the use of innovative technology combined with sound clinical research practices through this clinical trial will provide information to support the best outcomes for patients, surgeons and hospitals."
According to the CSIRO, up to 300 patients will be involved in the trial at five hospitals in multiple states in Australia.
