We are excited to share that Xsens has been awarded funding through the EU Interreg program as part of Ankle ReLoad, a cross-border initiative led by the University of Twente and Roessingh Research Center. Together with an expert consortium across the Netherlands and Germany, we are working to improve the monitoring and optimization of ankle fracture recovery in both clinical settings and at home.
Each year, approximately 105,000 patients in the Netherlands and Germany are treated for ankle fractures. Recovery is often more effective when the joint is actively loaded; however, the appropriate loading magnitude is difficult to determine. Too little can slow progress, too much can be harmful. Until now, accurate measurement of ankle load has been possible only under laboratory conditions, using complex equipment.
Ankle ReLoad aims to change that. The project will develop a demonstrator that can estimate ankle load at home using an ambulatory measurement system with a minimal number of sensors. By combining lab-grade measurements with wearable sensor data, the consortium will use machine learning and muscle simulations to enable accurate ankle load estimation without bulky lab setups. The outcome is continuous, personalized feedback for patients and healthcare professionals through a digital application, supporting better decisions throughout recovery.
