Wearable IOT System for Monitoring Knee Angle and Plantar Force for Early Detection of Knee Osteoarthritis

Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA) is a progressive degenerative joint disorder that significantly affects mobility and quality of life. Early detection and continuous monitoring of knee joint movement are essential to prevent severe joint damage. Conventional diagnostic techniques such as X-ray and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) provide structural information but are expensive and not suitable for continuous monitoring. This paper proposes an Internet of Things (IoT)-based wearable system for monitoring knee angle and plantar force to support early detection of KOA. The system integrates an ESP32 microcontroller, MPU6050 inertial measurement unit, and a plantar force sensor to measure knee movement and foot pressure during walking. Sensor data are transmitted via Wi-Fi to the Blynk IoT platform for real-time monitoring. Experimental results indicate that normal knee movement produces flexion angles between 53°–72°, while reduced angles of 20°–30° may indicate possible KOA conditions.