Jing-Chun Lin, Chief Resident Doctor, Dept. of Rehabilitation Medicine

Introduction to Smart Healthcare Applications

Sports medicine has transcended its traditional role as a field exclusive to athletes. It has gradually become essential in maintaining overall health and quality of life for all individuals.

How This Application Assists Clinical Care and Supports Patients

• Widespread Applications of Sports Medicine: (1) Cardiopulmonary Dysfunction: Exercise training under professional supervision enhances endurance and cardiopulmonary function. (2) Post-Rehabilitation Patients: Includes gait training after a stroke and joint mobility restoration following surgery.
• Ultrasound Application for Soft Tissue and Joint Diseases:

◆Advantages of Ultrasound Examination: (1) High Resolution: Provides real-time imaging of soft tissue structures, including tendons, ligaments, and muscles, to detect tears, inflammation, or cysts. (2) Dynamic Assessment: Unlike MRI, ultrasound enables real-time observation of movement-related issues. (3) Non-invasive and Convenient: It carries no radiation risk and allows on-demand examinations.

• Ultrasound-Guided Therapeutic Techniques:

◆Prolotherapy: Involves injecting high-concentration platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or high-concentration glucose to promote tissue healing.

◆Nerve Hydrodissection

◆Other Injection Treatments: (1) Hyaluronic Acid Injections: Reduce joint inflammation and enhance synovial fluid function. (2) Anesthetics + Steroid Injections: Provide rapid relief for acute inflammatory pain.

Benefits and Impact for Patients: These applications promote overall health, prevent diseases, enhance chronic disease management, and improve mental well-being and quality of life.

Benefits and Impact for Employees at National Cheng Kung University Hospital: For hospital staff, these applications enhance physical fitness, reduce work-related stress, and improve mental health, ultimately boosting work efficiency and overall life quality.

Benefits and Impact for Society: Through the integration of AI and biotechnology, personalized exercise programs and treatment plans can be developed, contributing to a healthier and more sustainable society.

Figure 1. Ultrasound-Guided Therapeutic Techniques