Exploring the use of wearable sensors for assessing risk factors during orthopedic surgeries: A protocol for data collection

Abstract

During orthopedic surgeries, surgeons are generally exposed to prolonged periods of standing, awkward and sustained body postures, and forceful movements, which can increase the likelihood of developing work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSD). Therefore, this study proposes a protocol to measure parameters related to physical risk factors contributing to lower limb WRMSD, during orthopedic surgery procedures. The protocol development was preceded by an initial phase of understanding and specifying the context of use, followed by pre-tests in laboratory environment. It integrates a motion capture system, using inertial measurement units (IMU) to collect posture data from hip, knee, and ankle, and electromyography system (EMG) to measure and record data from muscle activity of biceps femoris, rectus femoris, and gastrocnemius lateralis. Pre-tests provided insights for protocol optimization, estimating a 3-hour data collection session per surgery due to sensor battery limitations, streamlining the process by placing EMG sensors before IMU and refining thigh sensor placement strategies. The protocol presents an opportunity for a real-time and quantitative approach to monitor surgeon's exposure to risk factors contributing to lower limb WRMSD while performing surgical procedures. Two months after pre-tests, the protocol implementation began in a real work context. The study's final outcomes fall outside the paper's scope.