Objective functional assessment in orthopedics: The emerging role of wearable technologies

Table 3 Wearables in spine surgery

Ref.	Type of surgery	Device used	Key finding
Natarajan et al[109], 2022	Degenerative lumbar spine disease (observational study)	Chest-based inertial wearable sensor (MetaMotionC)	Distinct gait patterns were observed for lumbar disc herniation, spinal stenosis, and chronic mechanical low back pain. LSS showed gait asymmetry and variability; LDH showed reduced gait velocity and cadence
Sheeran et al[110], 2024	Persistent non-specific low back pain	IMUs	Significant variations in range of motion during flexion, extension, and lateral flexion
Boutaayamou et al[114], 2025	Gait analysis	IMU-based system	Intraclass correlation coefficients exceeded 0.90 for spatiotemporal gait parameters including stride length, cadence, and speed, indicating an accurate method for analysis using IMUs
Bienstock et al[115], 2022	Lumbar laminectomy	Accelerometry	Continuous data from accelerometers effectively delineates 3 distinct stages of postop recovery and supplemented patient-reported outcomes
Inoue et al[116], 2020	Lumbar spinal surgery	Wearable activity tracker	Activity decreased 1 month postop followed by gradual recovery within 3 months although patient-based outcomes already indicated improvement at 1 month
Smuck et al[117], 2018	Lumbar spinal stenosis decompression	Wearable activity monitors (e.g., accelerometers)	6 months after surgery participants demonstrated significant improvements in self-reported function and objectively measured physical capacity, but real-life physical activity remained stagnant
Schulte et al[120], 2010	Lumbar decompression surgery	Step activity monitor (accelerometer-based)	Objective step activity increased post-surgery, indicating improved functional mobility
Sakaguchi et al[38], 2024	Corrective spinal fusion surgery	Triaxial accelerometer	Gait sway and motor function improved significantly post-surgery, measurable via accelerometry

IMU: Inertial measurement unit; LSS: Lumbar spinal stenosis; LDH: Lumbar disc herniation.