System and method for determining patient follow-up subsequent to an orthopaedic procedure

Abstract

A method of determining patient follow-up subsequent to an orthopaedic procedure includes determining the number of cycles of use of an orthopaedic joint of the patient. If a predetermined threshold is exceeded, communication with an orthopaedic care provider is initiated. A patient monitoring system is also disclosed.

1 . A method of determining patient follow-up subsequent to an orthopaedic procedure, the method comprising the steps of: 
 determining the number of cycles of use of an orthopaedic joint of a patient, and    initiating communication with an orthopaedic care provider in response to the determining step.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the determining step comprises determining the number of cycles of use of the orthopaedic joint and generating an output signal in response thereto, further comprising the step of: 
 generating a message to the patient in response to generation of the output signal.    
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the step of generating the message comprises generating an audible message.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the step of generating the message comprises generating a visual message.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the determining step comprises determining the number of steps taken by the patient.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein determining the number of steps taken by the patient comprises monitoring output from a pedometer.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the determining step comprises determining the activity level of the patient.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein determining the activity level of the patient comprises monitoring output from a sensor external to the body of the patient.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the determining step comprises determining the number of occasions that a predetermined flexion angle is obtained by the orthopaedic joint of the patient.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the determining step comprises determining the number of loading cycles of the orthopaedic joint of the patient.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the determining step comprises monitoring output from a sensor implanted into the body of the patient.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the determining step comprises monitoring output from a sensor external to the body of the patient.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the orthopaedic joint of the patient comprises a prosthetic orthopaedic joint comprising a sensor, and    the determining step comprises monitoring output from the sensor.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the orthopaedic joint of the patient comprises at least one natural joint component.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the orthopaedic joint of the patient comprises at least one prosthetic joint component.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the initiating step comprises generating an automated, device-initiated electronic communication.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the determining step comprises determining the number of cycles of use of the orthopaedic joint and generating an output signal in response thereto, and    the initiating step comprises generating an automated, device-initiated electronic communication with an electronic device of the orthopaedic care provider in response to generation of the output signal.    
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the determining step comprises determining the distance between a first component and a second component of the orthopaedic joint of the patient.  
     
     
         19 . A patient monitoring system, comprising: 
 a sensor,    a processor in communication with the sensor, and    a memory device electrically coupled to the processor, the memory device having stored therein a plurality of instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:    monitor output from the sensor to determine the number of cycles of use of the orthopaedic joint of a patient, and    generate a message to the patient indicative of a need to initiate communication with an orthopaedic care provider if the number of cycles of use of the orthopaedic joint exceeds a predetermined threshold value.    
     
     
         20 . The patient monitoring system of  claim 19 , wherein the sensor is implantable into the body of the patient.  
     
     
         21 . The patient monitoring system of  claim 19 , wherein the sensor is configured to be externally worn by the patient.  
     
     
         22 . The patient monitoring system of  claim 19 , wherein the sensor is secured to a prosthetic joint component.  
     
     
         23 . A method of determining patient follow-up subsequent to an orthopaedic procedure, the method comprising the steps of: 
 electronically querying a joint use measurement device to determine the number of cycles of use of an orthopaedic joint of a patient, and    generating an electronic output signal if the number of cycles of use of the orthopaedic joint of the patient exceeds a predetermined threshold value.    
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the generating step comprises generating a phone message which is sent to an orthopaedic care provider.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the generating step comprises generating an electronic mail message which is sent to an orthopaedic care provider.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein: 
 the joint use measurement device comprises a sensor implanted into the body of the patient, and    the electronically querying step comprises determining output from the sensor.    
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein 
 the joint use measurement device is configured to be externally worn by the patient,    the joint use measurement device comprises a sensor, and the electronically querying step comprises determining output from the sensor.