App used in surgery study

SAN FRANCISCO: Apple and Zimmer Biomet, a global leader in musculoskeletal health care, have launched a major clinical study in the US in which an app on Apple Watches and iPhones will guide patients undergoing knee and hip replacements through pre- and post-operation care.

The “mymobility” app facilitated close contact between patients and surgical teams, which could significantly improve the treatment of patients who underwent these procedures, Zimmer Biomet said.

The clinical study was designed to measure the app’s impact on patient outcomes and overall costs for joint replacement.

Researchers, who aim to enrol 10 000 patients in the study, will combine patient feedback with continuous health and activity data received via the devices.

“We are incredibly excited to work with Apple to transform the knee and hip replacement experience for patients and surgeons,” said Bryan Hanson, president and chief executive of Zimmer Biomet.

More than one million knee and hip replacements are undertaken annually in the US. This number IN SYNC: Patients undergoing joint replacement will be tracked.

is expected to grow to 3.5 million by 2035.

“We are proud to enable knee and hip replacement patients to use their own data and share it with their doctors seamlessly, so that they can participate in their care and recovery in a way not previously possible through traditional in-person visits,” said Jeff Williams, chief operating officer at Apple.

A team of researchers in the US are also planning to use an app on the iPhone and Apple Watch to track the behaviour of a group of people with the binge eating disorder. The “Recovery Record” app will record the participants’ mood, food they eat and goals for 30 days. – IANS