mHealth and the Management of Knee Osteoarthritis and Total Knee Replacement

Our latest edition of Market Insights highlights the growing evidence for how digital health interventions have been effective in the management of knee osteoarthritis (OA) and total knee replacement (TKR) patients.

The integration of digital exercise interventions into usual care has been shown to be more effective compared to the conventional treatment approach for individuals with TKR. These interventions have resulted in improved knee range of motion, reduced self-reported symptoms, and shorter hospital stays.

Digital exercise interventions present a promising approach for effectively managing OA and TKR, offering additional benefits when combined with cognitive-behavioural therapy or psychological interventions. Furthermore, incorporating cognitive-behavioural therapy or similar psychological interventions showed significant enhancements in knee pain, function, and psychological well-being compared to no treatment or traditional interventions.

Overall, the integration of mobile health technologies in TKR represents a paradigm shift in patient education, self-management, and overall care delivery. These technologies hold the potential to enhance TKR outcomes, improve patient satisfaction, and reduce healthcare costs. Embracing this digital revolution in orthopaedic care has the potential to revolutionise TKR treatment and pave the way for future advancements in postoperative care and patient engagement.

On The Mend is an innovative digital platform, used by patients undergoing treatment for OA or TKR surgery, enabling self-reported data to be shared with their healthcare professional who can tailor a care plan to address their individual needs. 

Key Facts

• TKR is commonly performed for pain and stiffness cause by osteoarthritis
  
• Typically, 20% of TKR patients express dissatisfaction with outcomes, driving research for improvement.
  
• Mobile health apps can actively educate TKR patients, improving pain levels and physical functioning.
• Integration of technologies such as On The Mend in TKR have the potential to optimise patient outcomes and healthcare consumption