SmILE Project Launches to Innovate Musculoskeletal Disease Management

LIH Joins European Initiative to Develop Smart Solutions for Musculoskeletal Diseases

• Human Motion, Orthopaedics, Sports Medicine and Digital Methods
• Department of Precision Health

The Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH) is proud to be part of the newly launched SmILE project, a pioneering initiative focused on leveraging smart technologies to address musculoskeletal non-communicable diseases (MSK-NCDs). By integrating digital health solutions and AI-driven data platforms, SmILE aims to enhance prevention, early intervention, personalized therapies, improve patient autonomy, and reduce the burden of these conditions on healthcare systems.

Musculoskeletal non-communicable diseases (MSK-NCDs) represent one of the most pressing health challenges not only to an ageing society but also for younger populations, impacting millions worldwide with conditions such as osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis and fractures. The SmILE project, launched under the Horizon Europe programme, is set to transform the landscape of MSK-NCD prevention and management by harnessing cutting-edge digital tools and smart medical devices. For example, fracture fixation devices, including prototypes like fracture plates with sensors that monitor healing and can reduce the need for x-rays, are already part of the consortium’s ongoing work. Other use cases under development include smart sensing hip and knee implants, which can monitor the optimal rehabilitation pathway or alert of derivations requiring early and personalized interventions.

At the core of SmILE is the development of a universal chip platform that turns existing medical devices into smart implants or orthoses and active health monitoring tools ingesting physical and biological data into AI systems. This transformative innovation will enable continuous data collection, early diagnosis, and personalized health recommendations through an integrated patient-centred digital platform. The AI-driven system will combine information from wearables, smart sensoric implants, and health assessments to provide actionable insights, empowering both patients and healthcare professionals.

“Imagine you have received an ankle orthosis after an injury or an artificial hip joint and the device or implant can tell your doctor and yourself if you are recovering well or would need additional therapy,” explains Dr Bernd Grimm, principle investigator and leader of the Human Motion, Orthopaedics, Sports Medicine and Digital Methods (HOSD) group at the LIH.

Through the HOSD group, the LIH plays a key role in this collaborative effort.

“Our participation in SmILE is an exciting step toward reshaping MSK-NCD management,” says Dr Grimm. “By leveraging advanced digital tools, we aim to improve early intervention strategies, enhance mobility, and ultimately foster a better quality of life for patients with MSK disease. At the LIH, we will engage with healthcare professionals and patient representatives to co-create a user-focused solution, employ our expertise and laboratory infrastructure to develop and validate relevant digital mobility biomarkers, contribute to the AI-driven management of patient pathways and evaluate prototype devices.”

Beyond medical advancements, SmILE also promotes social inclusion by integrating elderly patients into digital health solutions, challenging stereotypes around technology adoption, and reducing isolation. With a budget of €20.7 million and a consortium of 25 partners across 12 European countries, the project will run for 60 months, laying the groundwork for a smarter and more efficient approach to musculoskeletal health.

As SmILE embarks on its mission, LIH remains committed to driving innovation and ensuring that patients receive the best possible care through proactive and personalized healthcare solutions.

More information about the SmILE project can be found here.