EC Orthopaedics

Exergames are interactive exercise programs that merge therapy with gaming and are emerging as a transformative approach in postoperative orthopaedic rehabilitation. By enhancing engagement and enabling remote delivery, exergames address common limitations of adherence seen in conventional home-based programs. Recent advances in embedded computer vision have further elevated their clinical utility by enabling marker-less motion tracking, real-time feedback, and automated assessment of joint kinematics, while maintaining outcomes comparable to standard physiotherapy in select case scenarios. Depth sensors and monocular pose estimation allow objective measurement of range of motion, repetition counting, and movement quality, while clinician dashboards facilitate remote monitoring, adherence auditing, and data-driven progression decisions. Tailoring exergame design to specific populations, particularly older adults, further enhances usability, engagement, and safety. Embedded vision platforms offer unique capabilities, including automated kinematic analytics, corrective biofeedback, and potential integration with pain or gait monitoring, positioning them as more than passive digital tools. While promising, challenges such as data privacy, security, rigorous clinical validation, and integration into standard care pathways remain. Future development should focus on home-based, non-critical rehabilitation programs, incorporating EMG feedback, patient and clinician dashboards, and scalable AI-driven analytics. Cross-disciplinary trials, open benchmarking datasets, and implementation studies are essential to optimize efficacy, safety, and accessibility. Exergames with embedded vision have the potential to redefine postoperative orthopaedic rehabilitation, providing scalable, measurable, and engaging therapeutic solutions that enhance patient outcomes while reducing dependence on in-person supervision.

 Keywords: Exergames; Embedded Vision; Assistive Technology in Orthopaedics; Postoperative Rehabilitation; Marker-Less Motion Tracking

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