Use of Remote Physiologic and Therapeutic Monitoring Following Total Knee Arthroplasty

Remote physiologic monitoring (RPM), or remote therapeutic monitoring (RTM), has grown exponentially for the management of chronic medical diseases in Medicare patients. More recently, the application of this technology has ventured into the orthopaedic arena, and more specifically, for total joint arthroplasty. Platforms to expedite this monitoring can provide continuous biodata feedback on digital biomarkers to patients and surgeons, which can potentially help improve and create novel patient-specific recovery pathways. Furthermore, various devices developed for this monitoring might help obviate the need for frequent emergency room visits, readmissions, and prolonged outpatient physical therapy sessions, as well as reduce complications and increase patient satisfaction scores after total joint arthroplasty surgery. However, while there are a number of potential benefits to technology for this type of care, its application following total knee arthroplasty has not been well-studied. Therefore, after an overview of the usage of RPM and RTM, the purpose of this study was to review the current literature regarding three common remote monitoring technologies: 1) smartphone apps; 2) wearables; and 3) combined smartphone apps and wearables. We also considered the potential financial implications of remote physiologic monitoring.

A comprehensive search of the PubMed, Cochrane Library, MedLine, and Web of Science databases was performed. Three main subgroups of monitoring devices were included for analysis: smartphone apps, wearable devices, and combined wearable plus smartphone app platforms. Searches focused on remote physiologic monitoring, patient-specific advantages, financial advantages, billing and coding options, as well as overall efficacy of platforms.

The current review found smartphone apps, wearables, and combined smartphone app and wearable platform technologies to be advantageous in the postoperative period following total knee arthroplasty. The wearable components can provide highly accurate and reproducible data, which the user-friendly smartphone app can relay to the patient so they can easily understand their progress. Additionally, through the apps, patients can directly access their surgical team. By constantly collecting and evaluating range of motion and functional data, the surgical team can identify if the patient is appropriately progressing through treatment or if further intervention is warranted.

The incorporation of the remote physiologic monitoring devices during the post-total knee arthroplasty period shows strong promise as a progress-tracking modality. Published benefits include reduced physical therapy visits, decreased pain scores and reliance on opioids, increased activity levels as assessed by step counts, increased ability to follow less well-performing patients, reduced readmissions, reduced in-person clinic visits, and decreased postoperative costs.