Aims

The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of home-based prehabilitation on pre- and postoperative outcomes in participants awaiting total knee (TKA) and hip arthroplasty (THA).

As the field of hip arthroscopy continues to develop, functional measures and testing become increasingly important in patient selection, managing patient expectations prior to surgery, and physical readiness for return to athletic participation. The Hip Sport Test (HST) was developed to assess strength, coordination, agility, and range of motion prior to and following hip arthroscopy as a functional assessment. However, the relationship between HST and hip strength, range of motion, and hip-specific patient reported outcome (PRO) measures have not been investigated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the HST scores and measurements of hip strength and range of motion prior to undergoing hip arthroscopy. Between September 2009 and January 2017, patients aged 18-40 who underwent primary hip arthroscopy for the treatment of femoroacetabular impingement with available pre-operative HST, dynamometry, range of motion, and functional scores (mHHS, WOMAC, HOS-SSS) were identified. Patients were excluded if they were 40 years old, had a Tegner activity score < 7, or did not have HST and dynamometry evaluations within one week of each other. Muscle strength scores were compared between affected and unaffected side to establish a percent difference with a positive score indicating a weaker affected limb and a negative score indicating a stronger affected limb. Correlations were made between HST and strength testing, range of motion, and PROs. A total of 350 patients met inclusion criteria. The average age was 26.9 ± 6.5 years, with 34% females and 36% professional athletes. Total and component HST scores were significantly associated with measure of strength most strongly for flexion (rs = −0.20, p < 0 .001), extension (rs = −0.24, p<.001) and external rotation (rs = −0.20, p < 0 .001). Lateral and diagonal agility, components of HST, were also significantly associated with muscle strength imbalances between internal rotation versus external rotation (rs = −0.18, p=0.01) and flexion versus extension (rs = 0.12, p=0.03). In terms of range of motion, a significant correlation was detected between HST and internal rotation (rs = −0.19, p < 0 .001). Both the total and component HST scores were positively correlated with pre-operative mHHS, WOMAC, and HOS-SSS (p<.001 for all rs). The Hip Sport Test correlates with strength, range of motion, and PROs in the preoperative setting of hip arthroscopy. This test alone and in combination with other diagnostic examinations can provide valuable information about initial hip function and patient prognosis

Aims. The aims of this study were to evaluate the abductor function in moderate and severe slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE), comparing the results of a corrective osteotomy at the base of the femoral neck and osteoplasty with 1) in situ epiphysiodesis for mild SCFE, 2) contralateral unaffected hips, and 3) hips from healthy individuals. Patients and Methods. A total of 24 patients (mean age 14.9 years (. sd. 1.6); 17 male and seven female patients) with moderate or severe SCFE (28 hips) underwent base of neck osteotomy and osteoplasty between 2012 and 2015. In situ epiphysiodesis was performed in seven contralateral hips with mild slip. A control cohort was composed of 15 healthy individuals (mean age 16.5 years (. sd. 2.5); six male and nine female patients). The abductor function was assessed using isokinetic dynamometry and range of abduction, with a minimum one-year follow-up. Results. We found no differences in mean peak abductor torque between the hips that underwent osteotomy and those that received in situ epiphysiodesis (p = 0.63), but the torque was inferior in comparison with contralateral hips without a slip (p < 0.01) and hips from control individuals (p < 0.001). The abduction strength was positively correlated with the range of hip abduction (R = 0.36; p < 0.001). Conclusion. Although the abductor strength was not restored to normal levels, moderate and severe SCFE treated with osteotomy at the base of the femoral neck and osteoplasty showed abductor function similar to in situ epiphysiodesis in hips with less severe displacement. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:1524–32

Introduction. Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a morphological hip joint deformity associated with pain and early degenerative changes. Cam-type FAI is prevalent in young male athletes. While biomechanical deficiencies (decreased hip muscle strength and range of motion (ROM)) have been associated with symptomatic cam-type FAI (sFAI), results have been conflicting and little is known about biomechanical characteristics during dynamic tasks. Objectives. (1) Compare coronal-plane hip muscle strength, activation and joint rotation during movement tasks in sFAI hips against healthy controls. (2) Investigate the effect of hip internal rotation ROM (IR-ROM) on these outcomes. Methods. 11 sFAI and 24 well-matched healthy control hips from 18 young adult male athletes were recruited (Table.1). Passive hip IR-ROM was measured with goniometry. Weight-normalised hip abductor and adductor isometric maximal voluntary contraction torques were quantified with handheld dynamometry. Gluteus medius and adductor longus activation and hip coronal-plane kinematics were collected with surface electromyography (EMG) and motion-capture during time-defined phases of sit-to-stand (Fig.1) and single-leg-squat (Fig.2) tasks. Effect of sFAI with hip IR-ROM as a separate independent variable was calculated with 1-way MANCOVA. Results. sFAI had significantly less IR-ROM (19.25°±5.94) than controls (28.83°±7.24) (p<0.001). During the sit-to-stand ascent phase, significantly more hip abduction (F=4.93, p=0.03) was observed in sFAI (13.06°±3.16) compared to controls (10.16°±3.72). With IR-ROM differences controlled for, significantly higher gluteus medius:adductor longus EMG activation ratio (F=4.32, p=0.046) was observed in the same phase in sFAI (0.16±0.34) compared to controls (−0.11±0.31). No other significant results were found. Conclusion. sFAI hips demonstrate altered muscle activation and movement patterns when ascending from seated positions compared to controls, with reduced hip IR-ROM in sFAI hips influencing findings. Abductor and adductor function imbalance may explain why sFAI increases risk of early degenerative changes. Despite study limitations (no imaging for sFAI diagnosis), these findings should be considered when optimising rehabilitation in this population. For any figures and tables, please contact the authors directly

Introduction. Progressive resistance training (PRT) as a mean to reduce symptoms in patients with hip dysplasia (HD) has not yet been tried out. The aim of this study was to examine if PRT is feasible in patients with HD. A secondary purpose was to report data on changes of patient reported outcomes, muscle performance and hip muscle strength following PRT. Materials and methods. Patients diagnosed with HD on the waiting list for a periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) were offered to participate in a PRT feasibility study. The PRT intervention consisted of 8-weeks of supervised PRT consisting of 20 training sessions with exercises for the hips and knees. Feasibility was evaluated as adherence, the number of dropouts and adverse events. Furthermore, pain was reported after each exercise and one day after a training session using a 100mm visual analog scale (VAS). Pain was categorized as “safe” (VAS ≤20), “acceptable” (VAS >20–50) and “high risk” (VAS >50). Pre- and post the intervention patients completed the Copenhagen Hip and Groin Outcome Score (HAGOS), performed two hop-tests on each leg and had their peak torque of the hip extensors and flexors assessed by isokinetic dynamometry. Results. 16 patients, mean age 28 (range 22–40) years, completed the PRT intervention. Adherence was high (90.3% ±9.0%). Acceptable pain levels (VAS ≤50) were reported on average of 95% during the completed PRT sessions and after 92.3% of the sessions when assessed on the following day. Four out of six HAGOS subscales improved (P <0.05) after the intervention, as did standing distance jump and countermovement jump (8.3 cm 95% CI [1.2, 15.3], 1.8 cm [0.7, 2.9]) on the affected side. Dynamometry showed significant improved peak torque during isokinetic concentric hip flexion (15.8 Nm 95% CI [5.9, 25.8]) on the affected side. A similar improvement was seen during isometric hip flexion on the non-affected side. Conclusion. Supervised preoperative PRT is feasible in terms of drop outs, adherence, adverse events and pain levels in patients with HD scheduled for PAO. Furthermore, this feasibility study suggests that PRT may improve pain levels, patient reported outcomes, functional performance and hip flexion muscle strength

In the UK, the posterior approach (PA) and direct lateral approach (DLA) are the most common total hip arthroplasty (THA) procedures. Few studies however, have compared the subsequent functional outcomes. This exploratory study aimed to examine the effect of PA and DLA approaches on post-operative hip kinematics, strength and hip muscle cross-sectional area (CSA), compared to healthy controls. Participants comprised of 15 cases in the DLA group, > 12 month post-operatively, (ten male, age 68.9+/-5.5 years, BMI 26.9+/-3.0), 13 cases in the PA group (six male; age 72.9+/-6.9 years, BMI 27.1+/-3.6) and 11 age/BMI-matched healthy control participants. All participants underwent 3D kinematic (Vicon, Oxford, UK) and kinetic (AMTI, USA) analysis whist performing self-selected and fast walking as well as sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit. Isometric dynamometry was performed (Biodex Medical systems, USA) for all major muscle groups around the operated hip, and a subset of five participants (three DLA v two PA) underwent “slice encoding for metal artefact correction” (SEMAC) MRI imaging to measure muscle CSA. Patient-reported outcome measures were collected. Both post-operative surgical groups exhibited altered gait, particularly in limited hip extension, compared to the control participants. The DLA group demonstrated forced hip extension matching controls only under fast walking conditions while the PA group did not achieve hip extension. Both surgical approaches achieved high PROMs scores. The PA group were weaker for all strength activities tested, whereas the DLA cases demonstrated similar hip strength to controls. SEMAC imaging revealed reduced CSA for those muscles dissected during surgery, compared to the contralateral side. This exploratory study demonstrated small but measurable differences between surgical approaches for muscle CSA, hip strength of major hip muscle groups and a number of gait variables, although both approaches produce satisfactory functional outcomes for patients after surgery

Aims

This prospective cohort study aims to determine if the size of the tendon gap following acute rupture of the Achilles tendon shows an association with the functional outcome following non-operative treatment.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature on measurement of muscle strength in patients with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and other pathologies and to suggest guidelines to standardise protocols for future research in the field.

The October 2014 Foot & Ankle Roundup360 looks at: multilayer compression bandaging superior for post-traumatic ankle oedema; compression stockings for ankle fractures; weight bearing ok in Achilles tendon ruptures; MRI findings can predict ankle sprain symptoms; salvage for malreduced ankle fractures; locking fibular plates are more expensive; is fixation better early or late in pilon fractures?; and calcaneal fracture fixation not for subtalar arthropathy

We have compared the time to recovery of isokinetic quadriceps strength after total knee replacement (TKR) using three different lengths of incision in the quadriceps. We prospectively randomised 60 patients into one of the three groups according to the length of incision in the quadriceps above the upper border of the patella (2 cm, 4 cm or 6 cm). The strength of the knees was measured pre-operatively and every month post-operatively until the peak quadriceps torque returned to its pre-operative level.

There was no significant difference in the mean operating time, blood loss, hospital stay, alignment or pre-operative isokinetic quadriceps strength between the three groups. Using the Kaplan–Meier method, group A had a similar mean recovery time to group B (2.0 ± 0.2 vs 2.5 ± 0.2 months, p = 0.176). Group C required a significantly longer recovery time (3.4 ± 0.3 months) than the other groups (p < 0.03). However, there were no significant differences in the mean Oxford knee scores one year post-operatively between the groups.

We conclude that an incision of up to 4 cm in the quadriceps does not delay the recovery of its isokinetic strength after TKR.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:902–6.

Purpose. Handgrip dynamometry has previously been used to detect pre - operative malnutrition and predict the likelihood of post - operative complications. This study explored whether a relationship exists between pre-operative pinch and power grip strength and length of hospital stay in patients undergoing hip and knee arthroplasty. We investigated whether handgrip dynamometry could be used pre - operatively to identify patients at greater risk of longer inpatient stays. Methods. 164 patients (64 male, 100 female) due to undergo lower limb arthroplasty (83 Total Knee Replacement, 81 Total Hip Replacement) were assessed in pre - admission clinic. Average measurements of pinch grip and power grip were taken from each patient using the Jamar hydraulic dynamometer (Jamar, USA). Duration of each inpatient stay was recorded. Patients with painful or disabling conditions involving the upper limb were excluded. Other clinical variables such as age and ASA grade were investigated as potential confounders of the relationship of interest and adjusted for. Results. Average duration of hospital stay was 9.4 days. Average pinch grip was 6.3kg, average power grip 25.4 kg. Both average pinch grip strength (p = 0.001) and average power grip strength (p=0.04) had a significant negative correlation with duration of inpatient stay. Patients with a pinch grip strength less than 6.3kg remained in hospital 2 days longer on average. Patients with a power grip strength less than 15kg remained in hospital 1.6 days longer on average. Conclusions. This study demonstrated a clear relationship between pre - operative grip strength and length of hospital admission in these patients. This simple test may be beneficial pre - operatively in identifying those patients likely to require longer inpatient stays and therefore those who would benefit from early nutritional intervention and focussed physiotherapy. We believe this may effect significant cost reductions in the NHS

Acute achilles tendon ruptures are increasing in incidence and occur in 18 per 100 000 people per year, however there remains a lack of consensus on the best treatment of acute ruptures. Randomised studies comparing operative versus non-operative treatment show operative treatment to have a significantly lower re-rupture rate, but these studies have generally used non-weight bearing casts in the non-operative group. Recent series utilizing more aggressive non-operative protocols with early weight-bearing have noted a far lower incidence of re-rupture, with rates approaching those of operative management. Weight bearing casts may also have the advantages of convenience and an earlier return to work, and the purpose of this study was to compare outcomes of traditional casts versus Bohler-iron equipped weight-bearing casts in the treatment of acute Achilles tendon ruptures. 83 patients with acute Achilles tendon ruptures were recruited from three Auckland centres over a 2 year period. Patients were randomised within one week of injury to receive either a weight-bearing cast with a Bohler iron or a traditional non weight-bearing cast. A set treatment protocol was used, with a total cast time of eight weeks. Patients underwent detailed muscle dynamometry testing at 6 months, with further follow up at 1 year and at study completion. Primary outcomes assessed were patient satisfaction, time to return to work, and overall re-rupture rates. Secondary outcomes included return to sports, ankle pain and stiffness, footwear restrictions, and patient satisfaction. There were no significant differences in patient demographics or activity levels prior to treatment. At follow up, 1 patient (2%) in the Bohler iron group and 2 patients (5%) in the non weight bearing group sustained re-ruptures (p=0.62). There was a trend toward an earlier return to work in the weight-bearing group, with 58% versus 43% returning to work within 4 weeks, but the difference was not significant. 63% of patients in the weight bearing group reported freedom from pain at 12 months compared to 51 % in the non weight bearing group. There were no statistically significant differences in Leppilahti scores, patient satisfaction, or return to sports between groups. Weight-bearing casts in the non-operative treatment of Achilles tendon ruptures appear to offer outcomes that are at least equivalent to outcomes of non-weight bearing casts. The overall rerupture rate in this study is low, supporting the continued use of initial non-operative management in the treatment of acute ruptures

Objectives

The aim of this study was to determine whether there is any significant difference in temporal measurements of pain, function and rates of re-tear for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (RCR) patients compared with those patients undergoing open RCR.

Aim. To determine differences in knee valgus angles produced during a single leg squat and hip muscle strength between healthy subjects and patients with patellofemoral pain (PFP). To determine correlations between variables of hip muscle strength, knee valgus angle and pain. Study design: Observational study of 20 (8 male 12 female) healthy (H) subjects, matched for age height and weight with 20 (8 male 12 female) PFP patients (mean symptom duration 46.75 weeks). All subjects fulfilled specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Appropriate Ethical approval was obtained. Measures for both groups were Knee valgus angle during a single leg squat using 2D motion capture and SiliconCoach software for measurement of knee valgus angles, hip abduction, internal and external rotation muscle strength using hand held dynamometry, visual analogue scale for pain. Strength was reported as a percentage of body weight. All measures were taken on the affected leg for PFP subjects and matched for the equivalent leg in healthy group. SiliconCoach was determined to be reliable for intra-rater reliability of knee valgus angle (ICC.996). Results. There were no significant differences in age, height and weight (p=.59,.51,.26 respectively). Significant differences existed in hip abduction strength p=.001(PFP 19.93(9.2), H 32.22(8.26)), Hip internal rotation p=0.001 (PFP 12.94(4.35), H 19.53(6.36)), Hip external rotation p=0.001(PFP 10.00(3.07), H 16.26 (4.62)), Knee Valgus Angles p=0.001(PFP 5.31(2.59), H 2.29 (2.35)). No correlations existed between any of the variables including pain. This preliminary study shows that patients with PFP have larger knee valgus angles when doing a single leg squat and significantly weaker hip muscle strength when compared to healthy subjects. The reason for larger knee angles during single leg squat could be hypothesised as being due to weak hip abductor muscles not sufficiently controlling the alignment of the femur. However no correlations were found for these measures, nor were they found for any of the other variables including pain level. In summary the results indicate that hip musculature strengthening of the rotators and abductors and measures to reduce knee valgus angle should be included in the rehabilitation programme of patients with PFP. Further research with larger numbers of subjects should be developed to investigate this subject

Aim. To identify differences in hip muscle strength, knee valgus during a single leg squat (SLS),and function between subjects with Greater Trochanter Pain Syndrome (GTPS) and healthy(H) subjects. To determine associations between pain, function, hip strength and SLS in GPTS subjects. Study Design: Observational study of 14 (3 male 11 female) PFP patients (mean symptom duration 17 months), matched for age height and weight with 14 healthy (H) subjects, All subjects fulfilled specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Appropriate Ethical approval was obtained. Measures for both groups were Knee valgus angle during SLS using 2D motion capture and SiliconCoach software for measurement of knee valgus angles, hip abduction, internal and external rotation muscle strength using hand held dynamometry, visual analogue scale for pain. Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS). All measures were taken on the affected leg for GPTS subjects and matched for the equivalent leg in healthy group. Strength was reported as a percentage of body weight. SiliconCoach was reliable for intra-rater reliability of knee valgus angle (ICC.996). Results. There were no significant differences in age, height and weight (p=.85,.57,.51 respectively). Significant differences existed in hip abduction strength p=.005(GPTS13.72 (7.65), H21.49 (5.55)) and LEFS p=0.001(GPTS 57.28(16.55), H76.92(4.44)). There were no significant differences in internal and external rotation and knee valgus angles p=.509, p=.505, p=.159 respectively. There was a negative correlation between pain and function r=.879) p=0.001) and a moderate positive correlation between function and hip abduction strength r=.428 (p=.127). This preliminary study shows that patients with GPTS have reduced strength in hip abductor musculature when compared to healthy subjects. This may be due to pain inhibition; however the true causes of pain need to be determined. Pain and to a lesser extent hip abductor strength appears to have an effect on function in GPTS patients. In summary the results indicate that hip abductor muscle strengthening and management strategies to reduce pain should be included in the rehabilitation programmes of patients with GPTS. Further research with larger numbers of subjects should be developed to investigate this subject

Purpose of the study: Stiffness of the ankle joint is a common complication after fracture, surgical repair, or total ankle arthroplasty. Dorsiflexion is generally the most limited movement. A few older papers have focused on this common problem in orthopaedic surgery of the ankle joint but have been controversial. The purpose of this anatomy study was to evaluate the efficacy and quantify the impact of releasing the collateral ligaments of the ankle joint on dorsiflexion stiffness. Material and methods: The two main ankle ligaments implicated in this type of stiffness, the deep bundle of the posterior tibiotalar ligament (dPTTaL) and the posterior talofibular ligament (PTaFL), were studied. We dissected 16 talocrural joints on fresh cadavers and measured with electronic goniometry coupled with electronic dynamometry their movement in dorsiflexion after section of the dPTTaL in the first group and after section of the PTaFL in the second. Results: The results showed a significant difference (p< 0.0003) between the two populations of ankles. Section of the dPTTaL was more effective against dorsiflexion stiffness than section of the PTaFL, even though the overall benefit in dorsiflexion was less than 10° (mean 7.45 versus 3.45). Combined section of the two ligaments did not provide a statistically significant improvement in the gain in dorsiflextion (p=0.88) compared with isolated section of the two ligaments. Discussion: If limitation of active and passive dorsiflexion persists after classical release or lengthening of the posterior periarticular tendons of the ankle joint, or after gastrocnemius lengthening, our results show that the following surgical step could be meticulous release of the dPTTaL

A total of 80 patients with an acute rupture of tendo Achillis were randomised to operative repair using an open technique (39 patients) or non-operative treatment in a cast (41 patients). Patients were followed up for one year. Outcome measures included clinical complications, range of movement of the ankle, the Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (SMFA), and muscle function dynamometry evaluating dorsiflexion and plantar flexion of the ankle. The primary outcome measure was muscle dynamometry. Re-rupture occurred in two of 37 patients (5%) in the operative group and four of 39 (10%) in the non-operative group, which was not statistically significant (p = 0.68). There was a slightly greater range of plantar flexion and dorsiflexion of the ankle in the operative group at three months which was not statistically significant, but at four and six months the range of dorsiflexion was better in the non-operative group, although this did not reach statistically significance either. After 12 weeks the peak torque difference of plantar flexion compared with the normal side was less in the operative than the non-operative group (47% vs 61%, respectively, p < 0.005). The difference declined to 26% and 30% at 26 weeks and 20% and 25% at 52 weeks, respectively. The difference in dorsiflexion peak torque from the normal side was less than 10% by 26 weeks in both groups, with no significant differences. The mean SMFA scores were significantly better in the operative group than the non-operative group at three months (15 vs 20, respectively, p < 0.03). No significant differences were observed after this, and at one year the scores were similar in both groups. We were unable to show a convincing functional benefit from surgery for patients with an acute rupture of the tendo Achillis compared with conservative treatment in plaster