Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 10, 2026
Early Weight-Bearing Rehabilitation Protocol After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Published on: March 1, 2024
Smart crutch tipsTM real-time feedback improves adherence to partial weight-bearing protocols following lower
Michael Coons1, Fiona Cherry1, Sophia Miller1
1New York University Langone Orthopedic Hospital, New York, USA.
Purpose:
To evaluate the effectiveness of Smart Crutch Tips™ in promoting adherence to prescribed early partial weight-bearing (PWB) protocols and to assess patient experience with real-time weight-bearing feedback during home rehabilitation.
Methods:
Twenty patients with lower extremity fractures prescribed partial weight-bearing (PWB) were randomized into two groups utilizing real-time feedback crutch tips (RFC). The Intervention group (n = 10) used Smart Crutch Tips™ (ComeBack Mobility Inc., Kiev, Ukraine), which provided real-time feedback on weight-bearing compliance. The Control group (n = 10) also used crutches equipped with Smart Crutch Tips™, but notifications were disabled, allowing passive data collection without patient feedback. Weight-bearing compliance was defined as the percentage of steps within ± 10% of the prescribed target. Secondary outcomes included patient satisfaction and device usability assessed using the System Usability Scale (SUS) throughout the home rehabilitation period.
Results:
The Intervention group demonstrated significantly greater PWB compliance compared with the Control group (73.6% vs. 21.1%, p < 0.01). The Intervention group reported a mean SUS score of 84.25, indicating excellent usability. No device-related complications or adverse events were observed. Patient satisfaction, assessed through video interviews, was high, with participants in the Intervention group expressing a strong willingness to recommend the device to others with similar injuries and rating it 10 out of 10.
Conclusion:
Smart Crutch Tips™ significantly improved adherence to prescribed partial weight-bearing protocols following lower extremity fracture surgery. The RFC device demonstrated high usability, excellent patient satisfaction, and no device-related complications during home rehabilitation throughout the study period.