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ACL & Knee Physical Therapy app

An app with a variety of exercise programmes designed for after a range of knee surgeries or conditions, eg, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rehabilitation, total hip or knee replacements, knee strengthening, hip strengthening, knee osteoarthritis.
As a general rule, the first approach should be to get face-to-face input with a physiotherapist and ensure that you're following the correct surgical protocol. If for some reason this isn't possible, this would be a good app to use to complete your rehabilitation protocol.

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ACL & Knee Physical Therapy app	By Curovate Inc.
	Features Goal setting: App displays progress on range of motion, and outcome measures to track progress over time. Tracking: Ability to track progress on levels of exercise. Achievements section helps to reflect progress. Reminders: Email reminders sent to remind about performing exercises. Graphs and reporting: Graphs show progress in range of motion, and frequency of performing exercises.
Country of origin	Canada
Clinical review	Read a clinical review below.
Security and privacy	Does the app: Collect medical information? Yes Require a login? Yes Have password protection? Yes Have a privacy policy? Yes Require internet access to use? Yes – although once downloaded you can access the plans you have already opened. Read more about safety and security when using apps. Brochures: Tips to improve your privacy and security [PDF, 65 KB] Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ Staying safe online(external link) Netsafe, NZ
Cost	Free – 5 day trial version; paid version, with the following options (at the time of review): Monthly subscription ($15.99 per month) Annual subscription, including one free PT session via telehealth ($79.99) There are a range of premium memberships, which include between 4-10 physiotherapy sessions, ranging between $304-$599 per year.
Advertisements	This app contains no ads.
How to get the app	(external link) (external link) (external link)

The ACL & Knee Physical Therapy contains a variety of exercise programmes, designed to be used after a range of knee surgeries or conditions, eg, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rehab, total hip or knee replacements, knee strengthening, hip strengthening, knee osteoarthritis).

The app focuses on a structured exercise programme, with additional physiotherapy support via telehealth where required.
There's a good questionnaire section at the initial onboarding process, which includes questions around the date of your surgery, type of surgery, surgical technique (eg, patella tendon vs hamstring tendon graft for ACL).
The app also has educational videos, and a podcast style type approach to answer specific questions, in the ‘knowledge’ section.
Finally, there is the option to interact with a physiotherapist – either via the chat section or by booking in a virtual appointment (at a cost –see details on costs above).

For the complete app description, go to the app website(external link), Google Play(external link), App Store(external link) or, for a more detailed review, see reviews below.

PROS	CONS
✔ Ability to measure progress, through range of motion and outcome measures scores, as well as graphs and reporting section. ✔ Clear, detailed and thorough exercise programmes. These are well displayed and explained. ✔ Compared to other exercise apps in the market, this app has an advantage in that it allows users to interact with a physiotherapist, via chat or video sessions.	✘ Cost of the premium plans may be a barrier for some users. ✘ Some of the exercise programmes are really long! For example, when the post-surgical ACL rehabilitation programme was trialled as part of the review, 1 of the days had 3 hours of daily exercise/rehabilitation. That is simply too long for many users. It's acknowledged that there is a ‘I don’t have much time’ section. However, the length of time needed to perform some programmes would act as a real barrier. ✘ In Aotearoa New Zealand, there is good rehabilitation support for a number of these hip and knee surgeries, and it likely means that there isn’t a strong advantage in paying for an app to get good care, when this can be provided at a higher level face-to-face.

PROS

CONS

✔ Ability to measure progress, through range of motion and outcome measures scores, as well as graphs and reporting section.

✔ Clear, detailed and thorough exercise programmes. These are well displayed and explained.

✔ Compared to other exercise apps in the market, this app has an advantage in that it allows users to interact with a physiotherapist, via chat or video sessions.

✘ Cost of the premium plans may be a barrier for some users.

✘ Some of the exercise programmes are really long! For example, when the post-surgical ACL rehabilitation programme was trialled as part of the review, 1 of the days had 3 hours of daily exercise/rehabilitation. That is simply too long for many users. It's acknowledged that there is a ‘I don’t have much time’ section. However, the length of time needed to perform some programmes would act as a real barrier.

✘ In Aotearoa New Zealand, there is good rehabilitation support for a number of these hip and knee surgeries, and it likely means that there isn’t a strong advantage in paying for an app to get good care, when this can be provided at a higher level face-to-face.

Clinical review

Reviewer: Chris Lawrence, Community-based physiotherapist.
Date of review: April 2024
Platform: Android
Version: 1.4.1
Comments: This app is well designed, and provides some helpful exercise programmes that can be used after a range of hip and knee surgeries and injuries. As a general rule, the first approach should be to get face-to-face input with a physiotherapist and ensure you're following the correct surgical protocol. If for some reason this isn't possible, this would be a good app to use to complete your rehabilitation protocol.
Safety concerns: A general safety concern of any app-based exercise programme is the limitations of this technique, and the inability of an app to correct any exercises performed incorrectly, or to give specific education related to pain someone might be feeling while exercising. This app does aim to minimise these safety concerns, through their education section, and the options to interact with a physiotherapist.
New Zealand relevance: The app is relevant to a New Zealand audience. The comment above is not a reflection of the limitations of the app, rather the current situation in NZ to managing these injuries. If you have had an ACL surgery in New Zealand, you will be fully-funded for an ACC Escalated Care Pathways service. This includes face-to-face physiotherapy, and extensive rehabilitation, at no cost. Using this rehabilitation pathway would be preferred over this (or any other!) app.
If for some reason you're not able to access face-to-face physiotherapy input, this app could be helpful.
It's acknowledged that in New Zealand, many surgeons have a particular protocol, or exercises they want you to perform. This app does not reflect that, and where at all possible, users should follow the specific programmes given to them by their surgeon.

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Clinicians guide – how to choose a health app
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