Understanding the Challenges of Knee Osteoarthritis
Knee osteoarthritis affects millions worldwide, causing pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. Simple tasks—like walking or standing up—can become challenging, making everyday life more difficult. Traditional assessments often fall short of capturing the full story of how the knee moves and responds to treatment. Enter MAI Motion : a cutting-edge, markerless motion capture system that gives personalised, in-depth insights into knee function. By offering a clearer view of each individual’s movement, MAI Motion helps clinicians create rehabilitation plans that are truly tailored to the patient’s needs.
What Makes MAI Motion Different?
Unlike conventional motion capture systems that require physical markers or sensors attached to the body, MAI Motion uses advanced, markerless technology to track movements naturally and comfortably. Patients can move as they normally would, allowing clinicians to collect more accurate data. For instance, MAI Motion can analyse essential movements like the sit-to-stand test —a key indicator of everyday knee function —without disrupting the patient’s natural motion. By combining biomechanics (how the body moves), digital biomarkers (objective measures of physical function), and advanced pose tracking, MAI Motion gives clinicians highly detailed information, all without the need for intrusive equipment.
Digging Deeper: Biomechanical Insights and Digital Biomarkers
What truly separates MAI Motion from the rest is its ability to break down exactly how the knee joint moves : from joint angles and movement smoothness to how forces travel through the knee during each motion. These metrics become ‘digital biomarkers’—objective markers that show how well the knee is performing and how it responds to different therapies. With these data-driven insights, rehabilitation programmes can be precisely tailored for each patient, focusing on their unique strengths and challenges. Recent research suggests that a simplified three-repetition sit-to-stand test (rather than the traditional five) is both easier for patients and just as reliable for assessment, making the process less tiring and more accessible.
Real-World Benefits: From Clinic to Home
MAI Motion was designed with flexibility in mind—supporting use both in clinics and at home. Healthcare professionals can monitor progress remotely, making real-time adjustments to each patient’s rehabilitation plan as needed. At the same time, the easy-to-use interface empowers patients to take charge of their own recovery with immediate feedback and helpful guidance. MAI Motion is more affordable and accessible than traditional testing and imaging tools, opening the door to high-quality care for more people. With built-in machine learning, the system adapts to different stages of osteoarthritis , providing a truly personal, practical solution that evolves with each patient’s journey.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Knee Care
MAI Motion is redefining knee osteoarthritis rehabilitation . With its innovative motion capture and deep biomechanical analysis, it gives both clinicians and patients the power to collaborate on more effective, individualised treatment plans. As technology continues to advance, MAI Motion is leading the way toward precision, accessibility, and patient-centred care—helping people regain strength, confidence, and quality of life every day.
References
Armstrong, K., Zhang, L., Wen, Y., Willmott, A. P., Lee, P., & Ye, X. (2024). A marker-less human motion analysis system for motion-based biomarker identification and quantification in knee disorders. Frontiers in Digital Health. https://doi.org/10.3389/fdgth.2024.1324511
Wen, Y., Verma, T., Whitehead, J. P., & Lee, P. (2025). Empirical validation of a streamlined three-repetition sit-to-stand protocol using MAI Motion. Applied Sciences, 15(10), 5688. https://doi.org/10.3390/app15105688