Effect Of Biofeedback Devices In Partial Weight-Bearing Orthopaedic Patients

EFFECT OF BIOFEEDBACK DEVICES IN PARTIAL WEIGHT-BEARING ORTHOPAEDIC PATIENTS. Joshua W Hustedt, Michael R Baumgaertner, Michael P Leslie, Jonathan N Grauer. Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT. Partial weight-bearing (PWB) instructions are commonly given to orthopaedic patients. However, the ability of patients to comply with these instructions is poorly defined. Recent advances in technology have created biofeedback devices capable of offering real-time feedback to patients given PWB instructions. These devices could potentially increase patient compliance with PWB instructions following orthopaedic surgery. This thesis was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of modulating partial weight-bearing using the SmartStep biofeedback device. Fifty asymptomatic subjects aged 21-72 years were given three educational interventions designed to train them to limit weight-bearing on a lower extremity: verbal instructions, training with a bathroom scale, and training with a biofeedback device. Weight-bearing was measured after each activity to determine the effectiveness of biofeedback as compared to other clinical teaching methods. Additionally, another 14 subjects were given biofeedback training and retention was measured over a 24-hour period to assess retention of biofeedback training. Subjects given only verbal touch down weight-bearing instructions (25lbs) initially bore an average of 61.25± 4.80lbs (average ± standard error). This was reduced