DEVELOPMENT OF AN EXOSKELETON ROBOT FOR LOWER EXTREMITY TIBIAL PLATEAU FRACTURE REHABILITATION

Rehabilitation following tibial plateau fractures plays a vital role in enhancing patients’ functional outcomes and overall quality of life, particularly through the improvement of activities of daily living (ADL). Robot-assisted therapy has emerged as a promising strategy in this regard, enabling tailored training programs and objective measurement of rehabilitative progress. This research involved the creation and initial evaluation of a wearable robotic exoskeleton prototype, equipped with integrated artificial intelligence capable of autonomous operation, real-time data processing, and embedded safety protocols. It achieves structural compactness through rational material selection and supports knee flexion and extension movements, being a single-degree-of-freedom device. Based on hierarchical control technology, the prototype can realize multiple operation modes such as leader–follower, autonomous, and remote-control modes. Low latency and respectable accuracy were highlighted in laboratory testing that confirmed the integrated technology was operating correctly. According to the findings of the trials, the device could be used to help patients with neuromotor deficits with their diagnosis and rehabilitation. Even while early data show encouraging results, the device still requires further performance optimization to adapt to a wide range of clinical scenarios, and extensive clinical trials are needed to verify its effectiveness and safety in actual medical environments.