Design, testing and evaluation of the heat compression sleeve to alleviate pain in knee osteoarthritis patients in low and middle income countries.

Abstract

Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA) in LMIC, specifically at stage 2. OA is an irreversible deterioration of the cartilage in joints, which results in bones rubbing together, hence creating stiffness, pain, and impaired movement. It is the most common form of joint disorder in the world and the largest cause of joint pain and disability in older people. While OA is more common in people over 45, its prevalence is expected to rise in developing countries where life expectancy is rising. The most common risk factors for osteoarthritis include age, gender, prior joint injury, obesity, genetic predisposition, and mechanical factors, including malalignment and abnormal joint shape. The prevalence of this disease is higher in women compared to men. Knee OA is the commonest form of OA since the knee bears a considerable portion of the body weight. Some of the existing solutions include knee arthroplasty, electrical nerve stimulation, shoe orthoses, and knee braces. The functional prototype that offered compression and heat of adjustable temperature was made and tested for functionality, reliability, durability, and safety, among others, to get results that were analyzed and discussed thus gaps in bettering the design were identified. The prototype was redesigned and tested to prove that it served the purpose it was designed for.