Wearable sensors improve recovery after knee replacement surgery 

Over 850,000 people in England are currently waiting for orthopaedic surgery and more than 50,000 have waited over a year. Around 100,000 knee replacements are performed annually, costing the NHS over £1 billion. 

Following surgery, we know that those who undertake knee exercises have a quicker and more successful recovery. However, many patients struggle to keep up with exercises once discharged, leading to stiffness, slower recovery, further hospital appointments and dissatisfaction with care.

An image of a person's knee being held and manipulated by two hands of another person in the manner of a physiotherapist.

Our goal

NIHR Leeds BRC researchers worked in partnership with Leeds Teaching Hospitals, York Health Economics Consortium, and industry collaborators to trial wearable sensor technology in patients undergoing knee replacement surgery to see if it improved their after surgical recovery.

The study involved 250 patients, half of whom received instructions and advice about exercises that are normally given to those after a knee replacement, and the other half received wearable sensor-based rehabilitation. The devices were able to remotely track mobility, prompted exercises and enabled clinicians to monitor progress and step in if recovery stalled.

Real world impact 

The remote senor-based rehabilitation resulted in faster recovery, fewer appointments. Patients using wearable sensors:

  • Walked faster and recovered more quickly. 
  • Reported less pain and higher satisfaction. 
  • Needed fewer face-to-face appointments, reducing pressure on overstretched outpatient services. 

Cost-effective digital care 

The technology enabled safe, remote monitoring aligned with NHS digital priorities, cutting unnecessary visits without compromising outcomes. Economic analysis predicts lower revision rates and long-term savings.

Empowering patients through innovation 

Participants praised the system: 

 

“A great incentive to exercise.” 
“Loved every minute!” 
“Appreciated the extra support.”

These positive experiences show how digital tools can motivate recovery and give patients reassurance and control. 

What’s next?

Building on this success, the NIHR Leeds BRC team is: 

  • Conducting a detailed cost-effectiveness analysis using patient-level costing data.
  • Developing the next generation of sensors, embedded within wound dressings for continuous early post-operative monitoring. 
  • Expanding collaborations through the £3 million iSmart project to advance implantable sensor technologies