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 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . An orthopaedic system, comprising:
 a femoral component configured to be coupled to a patient's femur,   a tibial component configured to be coupled to a patient's tibia,   a load sensor coupled to the tibial component operable to generate an electrical output signal,   a first electrical circuit coupled to the load sensor, the first electrical circuit being operable to (i) detect electrical output signals generated by the load sensor, (ii) determine a parameter associated with movement of the femoral component relative to the tibial component based on the signals generated by the load sensor, and (iii) wirelessly transmit a signal indicative of the parameter, and   a second electrical circuit operable to (i) wirelessly receive the signal indicative of the parameter, and (ii) provide an assessment of the femoral component and the tibial component based on the parameter.   
     
     
         16 . The orthopaedic system of  claim 15 , wherein the parameter associated with movement of the femoral component relative to the tibial component is a number of cycles. 
     
     
         17 . The orthopaedic system of  claim 16 , wherein the number of cycles includes a number of loading cycles. 
     
     
         18 . The orthopaedic system of  claim 15 , wherein the first electrical circuit and the load sensor are embedded in a single housing. 
     
     
         19 . The orthopaedic system of  claim 18 , wherein the first electrical circuit and the load sensor are embedded in the tibial component. 
     
     
         20 . The orthopaedic system of  claim 15 , wherein the second electrical circuit includes a visual display configured to provide a visual assessment of the femoral component and the tibial component based on the parameter. 
     
     
         21 . An orthopaedic system, comprising:
 a tibial component,   a load sensor coupled to the tibial component operable to generate an electrical output signal,   a first electrical circuit coupled to the load sensor, the first electrical circuit being operable to (i) detect electrical output signals generated by the load sensor, (ii) determine a parameter associated with movement of a femoral component relative to the tibial component based on the signals generated by the load sensor, and (iii) wirelessly transmit a signal indicative of the parameter, and   a second electrical circuit operable to (i) wirelessly receive the signal indicative of the parameter, and (ii) provide an assessment of the femoral component and the tibial component based on the parameter.   
     
     
         22 . The orthopaedic system of  claim 21 , wherein the parameter associated with movement of the femoral component relative to the tibial component is a number of cycles. 
     
     
         23 . The orthopaedic system of  claim 22 , wherein the number of cycles includes a number of loading cycles. 
     
     
         24 . The orthopaedic prosthesis system of  claim 23 , wherein the first electrical circuit and the load sensor are embedded in a single housing. 
     
     
         25 . The orthopaedic system of  claim 24 , wherein the first electrical circuit and the load sensor are embedded in the tibial component. 
     
     
         26 . The orthopaedic prosthesis system of  claim 21 , wherein the second electrical circuit includes a visual display configured to provide a visual assessment of the femoral component and the tibial component based on the parameter. 
     
     
         27 . A method comprising:
 coupling a tibial component and a load sensor to a proximal end of a patient's tibia,   moving a femoral component coupled to a distal end of a patient's femur relative to the tibial component through a number of degrees of flexion, and   monitoring a visual display for an assessment of the femoral component and the tibial component based on a parameter associated with movement of the femoral component relative to the tibial component based on signals generated by the load sensor,   wherein the load sensor is coupled to a first electrical circuit operable to (i) detect signals generated by the load sensor, (ii) determine the parameter associated with movement of the femoral component relative to the tibial component based on the signals generated by the load sensor, and (iii) wirelessly transmit a signal indicative of the parameter to the visual display.