Introduction: Why Prehabilitation Matters

Knee surgery is one of the most common orthopaedic procedures performed today, offering relief and restored mobility for people suffering from joint damage or injury. In recent years, the concept of prehabilitation—often called prehab—has gained attention as a proactive step in the surgical journey. Prehab focuses on building strength, stability, and flexibility before surgery, and research shows that it can lead to easier, faster recoveries. A notable breakthrough in this area is MAI Motion , a cutting-edge, marker-less motion capture system that accurately records how you move in daily life. By providing highly detailed data about your movement before surgery, MAI Motion enables healthcare professionals to design targeted strength programmes and set realistic expectations, giving patients the best possible chance for a smooth and successful recovery.

What Are Baseline Biomechanics and Why Do They Matter?

Baseline biomechanics refer to the core measurements that determine how your knee works—things like range of motion, quality of movement, and the strength of the muscles supporting the joint. Traditionally, collecting this information wasn’t always easy. Methods often relied on subjective observations or on attaching physical markers and sensors to the body, which could affect how naturally someone moves.

MAI Motion revolutionises this process by using a completely marker-less, non-invasive system to record movements. This means we get a true picture of how you naturally walk, squat, or move, without any interference from bulky equipment. These insights allow clinicians to pinpoint your unique strengths and weaknesses with remarkable accuracy. Research shows that understanding a patient’s biomechanics before surgery is crucial: it helps predict recovery potential, guides prehab focus, and informs realistic planning for rehabilitation. In short, having a clear picture of how your knee functions before surgery can make a significant difference in both the process and the outcome of recovery.

Customising Prehab: Strength Preparation Tailored to You

One major advantage of MAI Motion is its ability to generate objective, personalised data that clinicians can use to craft customised prehab plans. Instead of relying on generic, “one-size-fits-all” exercises, therapists can focus on areas that specifically need improvement—helping each patient prepare more effectively for surgery.

Take the three-repetition sit-to-stand test , for example. This quick assessment measures lower limb strength and endurance, providing valuable information about how ready your body is for surgery. With MAI Motion, clinicians can detect even subtle weaknesses or imbalances that might otherwise go unnoticed. Using that information, prehab programmes can then include carefully selected exercises that enhance muscle balance and joint stability—both key for supporting the knee during and after surgery, and for speeding up recovery.

Throughout this process, prehab is more than just exercise; it’s about using accurate baseline metrics, strength-focused preparation, and honest goal setting to give every patient the best possible start for the journey ahead.

Bringing MAI Motion into Everyday Clinical Practice

Introducing MAI Motion into routine clinical care marks a move toward more personalised, data-driven treatment. Until now, knee assessments mostly depended on a clinician’s visual judgement or static images like X-rays, which give limited insight into how a joint actually works during real-life movement. With MAI Motion, clinicians can quickly and objectively assess how patients move, all without the hassle or discomfort of traditional equipment.

The precise data MAI Motion provides—such as being able to detect differences in knee range of motion as small as 10 degrees—enables therapists to track progress, adjust treatment in real time, and make more informed decisions. This not only improves efficiency and patient comfort but also lowers costs by streamlining the assessment and rehabilitation process. Increasingly, research supports marker-less motion capture as a practical and effective tool in both outpatient and hospital settings, helping clinicians make better choices and giving patients measurable proof of their progress.

Conclusion: The Future of Knee Surgery Preparation

MAI Motion is transforming the landscape of prehabilitation for knee surgery. By offering an in-depth understanding of baseline biomechanics, it allows clinicians to create truly personalised prehab programmes and help patients set realistic recovery goals. Integrating this technology into practice doesn’t just improve professional insight—it empowers patients to approach surgery stronger, more confident, and prepared for success. As healthcare teams look for ways to enhance outcomes, tools like MAI Motion are leading the way toward more efficient, effective, and patient-focused care.