The San Francisco VA Health Care System, along with the Northern California Institute for Research and Education, has partnered with human mobility firm Roam Robotics to study the impact of Ascend, the firm’s smart brace, on veterans experiencing knee pain.
Ascend leverages robotics and proprietary algorithms to improve mobility and dramatically improve daily life for those with knee pain, according to the firm.
“Veterans suffer from musculoskeletal conditions such as knee arthritis at higher rates than the general population,” said Alfred Kuo, M.D., of the San Francisco VA. “We don’t have great treatment options for many of these patients, especially ones who have moderate disease. The Ascend brace has the potential to substantially improve pain, stability and function.”
Ascend uses a non-opioid and non-surgical solution for pain relief and increased stability, while performing common activities.
“Roam’s technology has been proven previously to provide benefits to a wide variety of patients suffering from knee pain, weak quadriceps or instability,” said Sujit Dike, vice president at Roam. “This partnership. … can further validate the potential impact of Roam’s technology in addressing an enormous and growing challenge for the Veteran population.”
From the January/February 2022 Issue of McKnight's Long-Term Care News
