Walk with Path Feasibility and Product Assessment

Walk with path feasibility and product assessment of ‘Path Insight’ (PIN) in arthroplasty patients (WAPIN)

REC REF:  23/PR/0932

Active and about to start recruiting. 

This study is exploring new technologies to support people with joint pain. A novel insole (Figure 1) has been designed that is able to collect information on how patients waiting for knee replacement walk and do daily tasks like sitting and standing.

STUDY OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study is to see how useful this information is and, ultimately, if it supports people recovering from joint replacement.

OVERVIEW

Knee replacements are increasingly common surgical procedures in the UK and worldwide. In the UK, the usual wait time for surgery is 18 weeks. This study is exploring new technologies to support people with joint pain. A novel insole has been designed that is able to collect information on how patients walk and do daily tasks like sitting and standing. The aim is to see how useful this information is and, ultimately, if the information gathered could be used to support people waiting for surgery and recovering from joint replacement.

The insole developed by Walk with Path is intended to support and guide patients to exercise and mobilise and, as such, maintain and ideally improve their activity while awaiting surgery.

Walk with Path has also developed a product ‘path feel’ made up of smart insoles, an app, and a dashboard (path insight). Path Insight is a secured, web-based dashboard that visualises the data gathered by the insoles for clinicians who oversee the care of patients (Figure 1). This tool will guide patients to mobilise and, as such, maintain, and ideally improve, their activity while awaiting surgery. We propose that this will enhance functional outcomes and recovery times. Monitoring walking and functional levels will give clinicians a tool to engage with patients and understand their issues from afar. It will help clinicians identify those deteriorating more rapidly and react to their needs accordingly.