"THEBEA App" Prototype as a Digital Tool for Therapy Support in Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery

Ankle fractures are among the most frequent fractures in Germany, particularly in people over 60 years old. Improved networking among healthcare professionals and digital care options are essential for modern care. The THEBEA (Therapy Support and Analysis for Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery) project aims to support rehabilitation following Weber B ankle fractures through a mobile app with an external sensory feedback system.

App development was guided by two studies: semi-structured stakeholder interviews (six Participants) and a usability study (four Participants) using the think-aloud method. The interviews explored data and communication needs of clinicians and physiotherapists, while the usability study assessed the feasibility of self-administered physiotherapy exercises recorded via smartphone-based pose tracking and pressure-measuring insoles.

Stakeholders identified advantages in improved care and time savings. The usability study revealed issues with data accuracy and insufficient explanations before use. Key procedural insights included participant recruitment, qualitative methods, real-world testing, and iterative feedback integration.

These findings underline the importance of user-centered design and interdisciplinary collaboration in digital health innovations and offer a transferable framework for other rehabilitation solutions.