The University Medical Center (UMC) Utrecht is investigating the use of an insole called ‘Feetb@ck' for people with a broken leg. The insole contains an electronic measuring device that lets patients know how they are putting pressure on their leg. Using the insole should enable a quicker rehabilitation process. Rehabilitation specialist Herman Holtslag explains this in UMC Utrecht’s magazine Uniek that was published today.
People with a fractured leg should put pressure on the bone through weight-bearing as early as possible. But the degree of pressure needed is difficult to estimate. Together with trauma surgeon Taco Blokhuis, Herman Holtslag has designed an intelligent insole. Sensors in the insole measure the amount of pressure that the wearer puts on the heel. The pressure distribution pattern is sent electronically to a portable receiver and to a server. Using this information patients are able to distribute the pressure more effectively thus speeding up recovery.
A study using the prototype of this device has been started at UMC Utrecht in fifteen patients with leg, ankle or foot fractures. The study will provide data on the correct levels of pressure distribution. This information can be used by rehabilitation doctors and physiotherapists. In the future the sensored insole may help in the treatment of other fractures.
Cost-effectiveness
Rehabilitation specialist Holtslag says: “Even very complex fractures can heal well and quickly providing weight-bearing exercises are done. We also want to test the insole in older people. Each year more than 15,000 elderly people fracture a hip. We think that the number of people who are able to return home could be significantly increased. This would result in enormous cost savings."
Holtslag and Blokhuis developed the insole together with a group of students from the Department of Technical Medicine in Twente, from researchers at the Technical University Delft and the Science & Business Management Department of Utrecht University. External partner and investor Evalan is responsible for the production, the sales and the telemonitoring - which involves transforming the body signals into data readable from a distance. Pontes Medical helped to bring about this collaboration.
Other news in Uniek
A discussion on whether or not gastric band surgery is the right treatment for very obese teenagers. Also the view of Dr. Jet Smit, professor of public health, on the approach to obesity treatment. “We should give electric bikes an uncool image.”
Uniek is published four times a year. Today, the first issue of 2012 was published.