Patients had to wear a heavy cast. And they would have to wear very stiff bracing. Thus, most post-op recoveries were either a stationary experience or, at least, not a comfortable one.
That’s starting to change. The second skin technology behind adaptive fabrics has changed how orthopedic care is performed Today. “Smart” fabrics move with you. They “breathe.” They continuously monitor your health and send that data to your healthcare providers in real time.
The growing trend of Smart textile use in postoperative rehabilitation
Postoperative rehabilitation has evolved from simply resting after surgery. Precision is now required. Using integrated sensors in smart textiles, which track movement, smart fabrics can sense whether there is swelling or a temperature increase.
Doctors can then continue to track your progress remotely. Patients are better able to understand their recovery process. When patients believe that their recovery equipment is working for them instead of against them, compliance improves dramatically.
Why do comfort levels matter?
One reason comfort levels matter so much in postoperative rehabilitation is because discomfort typically causes noncompliance. If a brace is too tight, too loose, or even too bulky, a patient will remove it. By creating biomimetic designs in smart fabrics, those issues become less of a problem. Those designs mimic the natural stretch found in human skin. This allows for support without the bulk of traditional plastic materials. This means that patients will remain mobile for longer periods of time.
Preparing your recovery space
While recovery begins while you’re in the hospital, it really continues once you’ve gone home. Your environment plays a giant role in your ability to recover successfully. Proper rest enhances the performance of high-tech braces. That’s why many families seek special furniture to aid in the transition. Knowing what the average cost of renting a hospital bed helps families create budgets. A successful setup reduces the number of secondary injuries caused by poor posture during sleep.
Important features to have in your recovery furniture
Most standard beds do not offer sufficient support for patients recovering from orthopedic procedures. Depending on the nature of your injury, you may need elevation devices placed under your legs. One option is to rent a hospital bed and mattress. There are several features that make owning a hospital bed worth considering:
- Adjustable head and foot sections.
- Pressure-redistribution mattresses help alleviate pressure on areas prone to bedsores.
- Easier transfers from sitting to standing.
- Improved circulation in the lower extremities.
- Lessened stress on caregivers.
Second skin technology vs. Traditional Bracing
Traditional bracing focuses solely on immobilizing the injured area. Total immobility can cause muscle atrophy. Second skin technology represents a dynamic alternative. Adaptive fabrics provide compression that varies depending on your level of activity. During movement, compression increases. During rest, compression decreases. This technology eliminates the tourniquet effect commonly experienced with Velcro strap bracing.
Benefits of using second-skin technology
The advantages extend far beyond mere comfort. Smart fabrics can potentially reduce the likelihood of developing skin irritation. Moisture is wicked away from surgical wounds, reducing the potential for infections. Additionally, these fabrics have:
- Lightweight design allowing for all-day wear.
- Antimicrobial properties help eliminate odour.
- integrated heating elements to reduce pain.
- conductive threads that measure muscle activation.
- UV protection to protect patients who rehabilitate outdoors.
- seamless design to minimize friction and chafing.
Planning finances for ongoing recovery
Surgery is expensive, especially when you factor in ongoing care after it. Although new technology such as smart clothing is becoming increasingly popular among families, durable medical equipment (DME), particularly high-end models of hospital beds, has been around for decades. Before you leave the hospital, you should explore both hospital bed rental and hospital bed purchasing options to see which method works best for your situation. Rental agreements tend to offer greater flexibility as compared to purchasing.
Choosing high-end equipment based on size requirements
Some patients don’t fit into a typical recovery plan. These patients require additional space as well as heavier weight limits than others. Bariatric hospital bed rentals provide the necessary safety measures to ensure these larger patients don’t suffer a life-altering fall during their recovery period.
Bariatric beds provide wider sleeping surfaces than standard beds. Bariatric beds feature reinforced frames for extra weight capability. Handheld controls allow for independent adjustment. Integrated scales can monitor weight fluctuations.
Understanding how Smart fabrics function
But how exactly do these smart fabrics function? Most smart fabrics utilize “shape memory polymers.” Shape memory polymers respond to body heat by remembering their original configuration. They therefore provide constant tension. Engineers are currently exploring ways to incorporate carbon nanotubes into fabrics. Carbon nanotubes allow fibres to carry electrical current. Envision a sleeve providing mild electrical stimulation to your muscles.
Reducing Swelling to promote faster healing
Fluid accumulation is detrimental to rapid healing. Excess fluids slow down tissue repair. Compression garments made of adaptive fibres can promote lymphatic flow.
Instead of applying static pressure to an affected limb, adaptive compression garments apply pulsing pressures similar to the body’s own circulatory system. This could possibly speed up the rate at which inflammation subsides in comparison to wrapping with standard elastic bandage styles.
- Promoting consistent pressure application
- Enhancing vascular health while recovering
- Reducing heaviness in limbs
Deciding between renting and buying
Deciding upon your needed equipment is likely to be one of the largest decisions you’ll face during your journey toward recovery from orthopedic surgery. Many patients find themselves struggling with determining whether they want to rent a piece of equipment or purchase it outright.
For example, if you expect to need assistance for fewer than three months, renting a hospital bed with a mattress is probably the most cost-effective option. However, if you anticipate needing assistance over a prolonged amount of time due to having a chronic condition; buying the bed outright may be the most financially savvy decision.
Considering budgetary Costs
As previously mentioned, costs vary based on where you live and which brand/model of equipment you choose. It is recommended that you contact your insurance company prior to making any purchases to determine if they cover any portion of the hospital bed rental price as medically necessary.
In addition, you should consider maintaining the equipment. Rental companies deal with repairing/sanitizing any problems you encounter with the equipment. This process significantly eases the burden from the family members involved in your care.
- Rentals include professional delivery & setup
- Any mechanical failures are taken care of by technicians from the company
- It is much simpler to upgrade to a different model
- We will minimize storage over long periods of time.
The increasing importance of collecting & analyzing data in modern orthopedic medicine
Collecting and analyzing data is rapidly becoming known as the “new oil” in medicine. Thousands of pieces of data are collected each day from wearable technologies, including smart fabrics. Physical therapists are then able to continually modify your treatment regimen based on this continuous collection of data.
For example, if the fabric senses that you are walking abnormally, your physical therapist receives notification and calls you immediately to alert you regarding your improper gait and how you can correct it. This process creates an efficient loop of care.
What future developments may occur in second skin technology
This phase is merely the beginning of this technological revolution in second-skin technology. Eventually, fabrics may contain microdoses of medications released through direct absorption into the skin via tiny needles embedded within the fabric or other delivery mechanisms.
Other advancements may eventually occur regarding the color-changing capabilities of fabrics, signalling an impending infection.
- Ultimately, our hope is for a seamless (“frictionless”) recovery process. A medical device should feel like part of your body.
- Combination with smartphone-based health apps
- Use AI-based coaching systems using data sent directly from Smart fabrics
- Creation of biodegradable materials for eco-friendly disposable products
- Development of custom 3D-printed patterns of fabrics for each individual patient’s unique body type.
Safety issues regarding larger sizes
Regardless of cost considerations, safety must always be paramount when selecting an appropriate piece of equipment for larger sizes. Any individual requiring a higher weight capacity must select an appropriately sized piece of equipment to ensure their safety throughout their recovery process. Bariatric hospital bed rentals offer crucial reassurance to larger patients who are concerned about falling and sustaining serious injuries during their recovery.
- Bariatric beds offer greater stability than standard beds
- Bariatric beds often feature narrower sleeping surfaces than standard beds for smaller individuals but wider sleeping surfaces than standard beds for larger individuals
- Bariatric beds feature stronger frame components to support higher weight capacities
- Bariatric beds offer emergency battery backup power systems for use in the event of a power outage.
Assessing your own Needs prior to making an investment
Prior to investing in any equipment, assess your own needs and weigh the pros and cons associated with purchasing versus renting a hospital bed/mattress combination suitable for your particular body type/size requirements.
Your primary concern should be ensuring your safety while recovering at home. When evaluating your options, remember:
- locking wheels for enhanced stabilization.
- side rails designed to prevent unintentional falls.
- emergency power systems to keep critical life-saving functions active even after loss of electricity.