[Sensor-based monitoring of fracture healing]

The postoperative assessment of fracture healing remains a clinical challenge despite established treatment standards. The lack of reliable information on the mechanical stability of the fracture complicates individualized follow-up care. This increases the risk of delayed mobilization, implant overload or late detection of healing complications.Sensor-based implants, such as the AO Fracture Monitor enable objective, continuous measurement of implant load, offering a novel approach to evaluating the healing process. Preclinical studies demonstrate a significant correlation between mechanical load and radiological healing parameters, confirming the potential of instrumented implants for diagnostic and preventive applications. Initial clinical data are currently being collected as part of a multicenter study. Additional application areas, such as spinal fusion and hip fracture treatment are the focus of ongoing research and commercial development efforts.Continuous data acquisition enables uninterrupted remote monitoring, independent of scheduled follow-up examinations. This opens new possibilities for dynamic adjustment of treatment protocols, early detection of complications and targeted rehabilitation management; however, integrating such systems into routine clinical practice poses substantial regulatory and procedural challenges. Current studies therefore provide an essential foundation for the gradual establishment of personalized follow-up strategies in routine clinical care.