Telerehabilitation 2.0 in Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Narrative Review About the Future Tools

Background: Total hip and knee arthroplasty are widely performed procedures for end-stage osteoarthritis, with postoperative rehabilitation crucial in achieving optimal outcomes. Traditional in-person rehabilitation, however, faces limitations such as accessibility, cost, and logistical barriers. In this context, telerehabilitation has emerged as a promising digital alternative.Objective: This narrative review aims to synthesize current literature on telerehabilitation following total joint arthroplasty, evaluating its clinical effectiveness, cost-efficiency, patient satisfaction, and implementation challenges in comparison to conventional rehabilitation.Materials and Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in Medline, Web of Science, and Scopus through April 2025. Studies included randomized controlled trials and longitudinal research involving telerehabilitation in total knee or hip arthroplasty. Data were extracted on outcomes, complications, technology integration, and patient-reported measures.Results: Evidence suggests that telerehabilitation—delivered via mobile apps, wearable sensors, virtual reality, and AI-enhanced platforms—can achieve functional outcomes comparable to traditional rehabilitation in terms of pain reduction, range of motion, and muscle strength. Patient satisfaction, adherence, and health-related quality of life are often superior in digitally supported programs, especially when remote coaching is included. Cost analyses indicate favorable economic benefits. However, challenges persist related to digital literacy, infrastructure, regulatory gaps, and the need for standardized protocols.Conclusion: Telerehabilitation represents a clinically valid, economically sustainable, and patient-centered alternative to traditional rehabilitation after total joint arthroplasty. Future research should focus on long-term outcomes, optimization of remote monitoring tools, and development of evidence-based implementation guidelines.