Pose detection for online Achilles tendon rupture rehabilitation

This post is a quick overview of an Abto Software blog article.

Over the past decades, Achilles tendon rupture (ATR) has emerged as a growing concern among adults.

With both general populace and athletes resuming their regular activities following the COVID-19 pandemic, the likelihood of injury (ruptures, fractures) has surged the period of quarantines and lockdowns we witnessed. Previous studies have demonstrated that resuming physical exertion after inactivity can cause higher incidence of accidents.

Achilles tendon rupture treatment, an overview

ATR treatment typically comprises:

Conservative treatment – local heat and cold, simple analgesics, anti-inflammatory agents
Physical therapy – gentle stretching, range-of-motion exercises, and deep heat modalities

ATR management doesn’t require surgical intervention if it isn’t accompanied by severe, persistent pain.

No matter the chosen treatment avenue (surgical, nonsurgical), physical therapy and rehabilitation are pivotal. Recreational activities (walking, jogging, swimming, cycling, and others) with personalized physical exercises can facilitate muscle strength and augment motion range.

The rehabilitation may vary significantly depending on both the pursued treatment methods and protocols. This underscores the importance of precise health evaluations, correct diagnosis, treatment personalization, patient involvement, and ongoing progress monitoring.

ATR diagnosis – the limitations to overcome

Strain estimates during calf muscle contraction are most typically derived from voluntary tendon deformations. The accuracy of measurements through gold-standard B-mode ultrasound might, however, be compromised, and freehand 3D ultrasound, which incorporates B-mode ultrasound, can address the problem, but remains quite limited by the tendon geometry.

Neuromusculoskeletal modeling is another widely-accepted alternative to estimate the internal tissue state. This approach has demonstrated the capability of estimating physiologically plausible joint and tissue loading during different motion tasks, but, however, it requires significant resources and appears to be rather limited to the laboratory environment.

AI technology to facilitate ATR rehabilitation right away

Abto Software provides technology for camera-based pose detection working without additional equipment. The software is designed for online physical therapy and rehabilitation and can be implemented to optimize ATR treatment by enabling real-time monitoring and feedback.

Watch the calf raises exercise captured by our human pose estimation technology.

Abto Software’s smart technology for high-quality pose estimation might empower healthcare professionals and patients that undergo physical therapy and rehabilitation, those suffering chronic conditions, and more. Our solution is eliminating human misjudgment, thereby re-interpreting health assessment and empowering ATR management.

But how does remote health monitoring outperform methods considered gold-standard?

CV integration for efficient ATR recovery: the benefits

Accurate assessment

Pose detection helps identify and analyze performed exercises by capturing and tracking the positions of joints. That ensures correct execution and improves patient recovery.

Personalized care

Pose estimation enables professionals to provide personalized assistance by understanding individual needs. This ensures tailored strategies and enhances patient motivation.

Real-time feedback and guidance

By incorporating AI capabilities, healthcare providers can use real-time feedback and guidance during sessions. By enabling remote therapeutic monitoring (RTM), physical therapists can minimize potential complications, thus accelerating patient outcomes.

Progress tracking and visualization

By applying AI functionality, healthcare professionals might leverage continuous monitoring and visualization. That means, a therapist can review and analyze the exercises, from repetitions to endurance, thereby ensuring patient-first care.

AI empowered online rehabilitation: calf raises made convenient

In the rehabilitation regimen, calf raises are essential to ascertain the efficiency in strengthening calf muscles. The load on the Achilles tendon during exercising is pivotal for restoring prior strength and flexibility.

AI-based markerless motion analysis can be successfully implemented to empower patients during:

Healing tissues
Building strength
Restoring functionality
Preventing atrophy
Improving circulation
Enhancing balance and stability

AI enabling remote rehabilitation: potential applications

When injured, the tendon may experience a decrease in strength and elasticity, thus impairing overall function. The damaged Achilles tendon, if managed under surveillance, can undergo gradual loading, which facilitates healing processes by increasing blood circulation and encouraging tissue regeneration.

AI-based markerless movement assessment can drive better outcomes by supporting patients performing:

Toe-to-heel raises
Balance exercises
Calf stretches
Ankle dorsiflexion
Leg lifts
Partial squats

Summing up

Achilles tendon rupture rehabilitation can be successfully managed in familiar, convenient environments, transforming traditional physical therapy and rehabilitation, which faces multiple challenges and limitations.

Artificial intelligence can eliminate unnecessary equipment and provide modern features and opportunities. Formerly overwhelmed physical therapists and patients might discover more accurate health assessment, objective diagnosis, care personalization, greater involvement, and seamless progress tracking.

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