Personalized Orthopedic Recovery Using Smart Crutch Technology

Mobility is often taken for granted in everyday life, with approximately 7 million people in the United States using crutches each year [1]. While crutches are used for a variety of rehabilitation applications, they are most commonly associated with recovery following orthopedic surgery. Proper rehabilitation strategies are essential for promoting efficient healing and enabling patients to safely return to daily activities. 

ComeBack Mobility (CBM) has developed a rehabilitation platform designed to improve patient compliance with 
post-operative weight-bearing protocols and reduce the risk of fixation impairment following lower-limb surgery. 
Their Crutch Tip Nozzles and CBM mobile applications integrate with standard crutches to help patients follow 
prescribed loading protocols after lower-limb fractures [2]. 

The Crutch Tip Nozzles attach directly to both crutches, while a patient-specific rehabilitation model is generated using post-operative CT imaging data. This model determines the maximum allowable load that can be safely applied 
during recovery without compromising bone healing or fixation stability. Using the CBM mobile application, 
prescribed loading targets are communicated directly to the patient, and compliance can be continuously monitored 
throughout rehabilitation. The Bluetooth-enabled Crutch Tip Nozzles provide real-time feedback and allow 
clinicians to monitor and adjust loading protocols during patient ambulation. 

The CBM rehabilitation system has received FDA approval and aims to reduce complications and hospital 
readmissions associated with improper weight-bearing during recovery. This technology is currently available on the 
market and seeks to support patients through a more individualized rehabilitation process.

Article written by Jennifer Joanna-Joan Villeneuve,
M.ESc Biomedical Engineering Candidate, B.ESc Mechatronic Systems & B.ESc Biomedical Engineering





References 
[1] N. Papadosifos, “The Complications of Crutches - A Summary of a Systematic Review of the Literature,” 
Argnote Vol. 1 no. 4 2014 ISSN 2054-4561, 
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/engineering/sites/engineering/files/the_complications_of_crutches_
_a_summary_of_a_systematic_review_of_the_literature.pdf (accessed May 10, 2026).  
[2] “Comeback mobility,” ComeBack Mobility - Smart crutch tips with sensors for rehabilitation, 
https://comebackmobility.com/uk/%d0%b3%d0%be%d0%bb%d0%be%d0%b2%d0%bd%d0%b0/ (accessed May 
10, 2026). 

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