The impact of preoperative patient characteristics on health states after total hip replacement and related satisfaction thresholds: a cohort study

Background: The aim of the study was to analyze the effect of preoperative patient characteristics on health outcomes 6 months after total hip replacement (THR), to support patient's decision making in daily practice with predicted health states and satisfaction thresholds. By giving incremental effects for different patient subgroups, we support comparative effectiveness research (CER) on osteoarthritis interventions. Methods: In 2012, 321 patients participated in health state evaluation before and 6 months after THR. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was measured with the EQ-5D questionnaire. Hip-specific pain, function, and mobility were measured with the WOMAC in a prospective observation of a cohort. The predictive capability of preoperative patient characteristics - classified according to socio-demographic factors, medical factors, and health state variables - for changes in health outcomes is tested by correlation analysis and multivariate linear regressions. Related satisfaction thresholds were calculated with the patient acceptable symptom state (PASS) concept. Results: The mean WOMAC and EQ-5D scores before operation were 52 and 60 respectively (0 worst, 100 best). At the 6-month follow-up, scores improved by 35 and 19 units. On average, patients reported satisfaction with the operation if postoperative (change) WOMAC scores were higher than 85 (32) and postoperative (change) EQ-5D scores were higher than 79 (14). Conclusions: Changes in WOMAC and EQ-5D scores can mainly be explained by preoperative scores. The lower the preoperative WOMAC or EQ-5D scores, the higher the change in the scores. Very good or very poor preoperative scores lower the probability of patient satisfaction with THR. Shared decision making using a personalized risk assessment approach provides predicted health states and satisfaction thresholds

Reduced awareness for osteoporosis in hip fracture patients compared to elderly patients undergoing elective hip replacement

Background: Osteoporotic fractures are associated with a loss of quality of life, but only few patients receive an appropriate therapy. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the awareness of musculoskeletal patients to participate in osteoporosis assessment and to evaluate whether there are significant differences between acute care patients treated for major fractures of the hip compared to elective patients treated for hip joint replacement.; Methods: From May 2015 to December 2016 patients who were undergoing surgical treatment for proximal femur fracture or total hip replacement due to osteoarthritis and were at risk for an underlying osteoporosis (female > 60 and male > 70 years) were included in the study and asked to complete a questionnaire assessing the awareness for an underlying osteoporosis. ASA Score, FRAX Score, and demographic information have also been examined. Results: In total 268 patients (female = 194 (72.0%)/male = 74 (28%)), mean age 77.7 years (±7.7) undergoing hip surgery were included. Of these, 118 were treated for fracture-related etiology and 150 underwent total hip arthroplasty in an elective care setting. Patients were interviewed about their need for osteoporosis examination during hospitalization. Overall, 76 of 150 patients receiving elective care (50.7%) considered that an examination was necessary, whereas in proximal femur fracture patients the awareness was lower, and the disease osteoporosis was assessed as threatening by significantly fewer newly fractured patients. By comparison, patients undergoing trauma surgery had a considerably greater risk of developing another osteoporotic fracture than patients undergoing elective surgery determined by the FRAX(®) Score (p ≤ 0.001).; Conclusions: The patients’ motivation to endure additional osteoporosis diagnostic testing is notoriously low and needs to be increased. Patients who underwent acute care surgery for a fragility proximal femur fracture, although acutely affected by the potential consequences of underlying osteoporosis, showed lower awareness than the elective comparison population that was also on average 6.1 years younger. Although elective patients were younger and at a lower risk, they seemed to be much more willing to undergo further osteoporosis assessment. In order to better identify and care for patients at risk, interventions such as effective screening, early initiation of osteoporosis therapy in the inpatient setting and a fracture liaison service are important measures

Reduction of High Hip Dislocation With a Distraction Nail and Arthroplasty (Preliminary Results of a Novel Technique)

A novel distraction technique is described for total hip arthroplasty in symptomatic high hip dislocation (Crowe IV) combining an intramedullary motorized lengthening nail with a pelvic support plate to gradually stretch hip soft tissues (distalization) and performing total hip arthroplasty with the cup in the primary acetabulum. Twelve patients (15 hips) were identified in a retrospective study via chart review. Medical records and radiographs were reviewed for details of the initial case parameters, surgical details, magnitude of distalization, duration of treatment, outcomes, and complications. Followed by an average of 67.4 mm of distalization, nearly anatomical cup placement, and equal leg length were achieved in all patients. During distalization, pain level was low with acceptable range of motion. One unplanned surgery and no complications with long-term sequelae occurred