Aims. The evidence base within trauma and orthopaedics has traditionally favoured quantitative research methodologies. Qualitative research can provide unique insights which illuminate patient experiences and perceptions of care. Qualitative methods reveal the subjective narratives of patients that are not captured by quantitative data, providing a more comprehensive understanding of patient-centred care. The aim of this study is to quantify the level of qualitative research within the orthopaedic literature. Methods. A bibliometric search of journals’ online archives and multiple databases was undertaken in March 2024, to identify articles using qualitative research methods in the top 12 trauma and orthopaedic journals based on the 2023 impact factor and SCImago rating. The bibliometric search was conducted and reported in accordance with the preliminary guideline for reporting bibliometric reviews of the biomedical literature (BIBLIO). Results. Of the 7,201 papers reviewed, 136 included qualitative methods (0.1%). There was no significant difference between the journals, apart from Bone & Joint Open, which included 21 studies using qualitative methods, equalling 4% of its published articles. Conclusion. This study demonstrates that there is a very low number of qualitative research papers published within trauma and orthopaedic journals. Given the increasing focus on patient outcomes and improving the patient experience, it may be argued that there is a requirement to support both quantitative and qualitative approaches to orthopaedic research. Combining qualitative and quantitative methods may effectively address the complex and personal aspects of patients’ care, ensuring that outcomes align with patient values and enhance overall care quality

Purpose and background. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders, particularly back pain, are a significant issue for healthcare workers, with patient handling being the most frequently reported risk factor. Patient handling is often performed without assistive devices or equipment, which can cause healthcare staff to maintain awkward postures or experience high loads. This review aimed to comprehensively map the literature surrounding manual patient handling (without assistive devices) by healthcare practitioners to identify the current evidence-base on moving and handling of patients and explore what primary research had been conducted. Methods and results. JBI methodology for scoping reviews and an a priori registered protocol (DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/8PR7A) was followed and AMED, CINAHL, MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus and EMBASE databases were searched. Literature published in English between 2002 and 2021 was included. Forty-nine records were included: 36 primary research studies, 1 systematic review and 12 ‘other’ including narrative and government reports. Primary research predominantly used observational cross-sectional designs (n = 21 studies). Most studies took place in hospitals (n = 13) and laboratories (n = 12). Nurses formed the largest population group (n = 13), with very little research on physiotherapists and other allied health professionals. Conclusion. This scoping review comprehensively reviewed the available literature in the area. Most of the included primary research was observational. Nurses were often investigated in hospitals and laboratories. Qualitative research investigating moving and handling and further biomechanical investigation into therapeutic handling by healthcare staff were identified as areas for further research. Conflicts of interest. None. Sources of funding. None. This work has been published in Physiotherapy: Johnson, K., Swinton, P., Pavlova, A. and Cooper, K., 2023. Manual patient handling in the healthcare setting: a scoping review. Physiotherapy. (120) 60–77 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physio.2023.06.003

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Our primary aim was to establish the proportion of female orthopaedic consultants who perform arthroplasty via cases submitted to the National Joint Registry (NJR), which covers England, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, and Guernsey. Secondary aims included comparing time since specialist registration, private practice participation, and number of hospitals worked in between male and female surgeons.

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Shoulder arthroplasty is effective in the management of end-stage glenohumeral joint arthritis. However, it is major surgery and patients must balance multiple factors when considering the procedure. An understanding of patients’ decision-making processes may facilitate greater support of those considering shoulder arthroplasty and inform the outcomes of future research.

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Ankle fractures are common, mainly affecting adults aged 50 years and over. To aid recovery, some patients are referred to physiotherapy, but referral patterns vary, likely due to uncertainty about the effectiveness of this supervised rehabilitation approach. To inform clinical practice, this study will evaluate the effectiveness of supervised versus self-directed rehabilitation in improving ankle function for older adults with ankle fractures.

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The aim of this study was to explore parents’ experience of their child’s recovery, and their thoughts about their decision to enrol their child in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of surgery versus non-surgical casting for a displaced distal radius fracture.

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The aim of this study was to explore clinicians’ experience of a paediatric randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing surgical reduction with non-surgical casting for displaced distal radius fractures.

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Young adults undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) largely have different indications for surgery, preoperative function, and postoperative goals compared to a standard patient group. The aim of our study was to describe young adult THA preoperative function and quality of life, and to assess postoperative satisfaction and compare this with functional outcome measures.

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Ankle fracture is one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries sustained in the UK. Many patients experience pain and physical impairment, with the consequences of the fracture and its management lasting for several months or even years. The broad aim of ankle fracture treatment is to maintain the alignment of the joint while the fracture heals, and to reduce the risks of problems, such as stiffness. More severe injuries to the ankle are routinely treated surgically. However, even with advances in surgery, there remains a risk of complications; for patients experiencing these, the associated loss of function and quality of life (Qol) is considerable. Non-surgical treatment is an alternative to surgery and involves applying a cast carefully shaped to the patient’s ankle to correct and maintain alignment of the joint with the key benefit being a reduction in the frequency of common complications of surgery. The main potential risk of non-surgical treatment is a loss of alignment with a consequent reduction in ankle function. This study aims to determine whether ankle function, four months after treatment, in patients with unstable ankle fractures treated with close contact casting is not worse than in those treated with surgical intervention, which is the current standard of care.

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Scoliosis is a lateral curvature of the spine with associated rotation, often causing distress due to appearance. For some curves, there is good evidence to support the use of a spinal brace, worn for 20 to 24 hours a day to minimize the curve, making it as straight as possible during growth, preventing progression. Compliance can be poor due to appearance and comfort. A night-time brace, worn for eight to 12 hours, can achieve higher levels of curve correction while patients are supine, and could be preferable for patients, but evidence of efficacy is limited. This is the protocol for a randomized controlled trial of ‘full-time bracing’ versus ‘night-time bracing’ in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

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Perthes’ disease is an idiopathic avascular necrosis of the developing femoral head, often causing deformity that impairs physical function. Current treatments aim to optimize the joint reaction force across the hip by enhancing congruency between the acetabulum and femoral head. Despite a century of research, there is no consensus regarding the optimal treatment. The aim of this study was to describe the experiences of children, their families, and clinicians when considering the treatment of Perthes’ disease.

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The principles of evidence-based medicine (EBM) are the foundation of modern medical practice. Surgeons are familiar with the commonly used statistical techniques to test hypotheses, summarize findings, and provide answers within a specified range of probability. Based on this knowledge, they are able to critically evaluate research before deciding whether or not to adopt the findings into practice. Recently, there has been an increased use of artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze information and derive findings in orthopaedic research. These techniques use a set of statistical tools that are increasingly complex and may be unfamiliar to the orthopaedic surgeon. It is unclear if this shift towards less familiar techniques is widely accepted in the orthopaedic community. This study aimed to provide an exploration of understanding and acceptance of AI use in research among orthopaedic surgeons.

Abstract. Introduction. Frailty is associated with poorer outcomes after joint replacement. Targeting frailty pre-operatively via protein supplementation and exercise has the potential to improve outcomes after joint replacement. Before conducting a randomised controlled trial (RCT), a feasibility study is necessary to address key uncertainties and explore how to optimise trial design. Methodology. Joint PREP is a feasibility study for a multicentre, two-arm, parallel group, pragmatic, RCT to evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of prehabilitation for frail patients undergoing total hip or knee replacement. Sixty people who are ≥65 years of age, frail and scheduled to undergo total hip or knee replacement at 2–3 NHS hospitals will be recruited and randomly allocated on a 1:1 ratio to the intervention or usual care group. The intervention group will be given a daily protein supplement and will be asked to follow a home-based, tailored daily exercise programme for 12 weeks before their operation, supported by fortnightly telephone calls from a physiotherapist. Embedded qualitative research with patients will explore their experiences of participating, reasons for non-participation and/or reasons for withdrawal or treatment discontinuation. Results. Outcomes to be assessed include eligibility, recruitment and retention rates; intervention adherence; acceptability of the trial and intervention; and data completion. Data collection is ongoing. Discussion. This study will generate important data regarding the feasibility of a RCT to evaluate a prehabilitation intervention for frail patients undergoing joint replacement. A future RCT will contribute to the evidence on interventions to optimise the benefit that frail patients gain from joint replacement

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The aim of this study was to identify the information topics that should be addressed according to the parents of children with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in the diagnostic and treatment phase during the first year of life. Second, we explored parental recommendations to further optimize the information provision in DDH care.

Simulation use in training is rapidly becoming a mainstay educational tool seen to offer perceived benefits of a safe environment for repeated practice and learning from errors without jeopardising patient safety. However, there is currently little evidence addressing the trainees’ perspectives and attitudes of simulation training, particularly in comparison with trainers and the educational community. This study investigates orthopaedic trainees’ and trainers’ conceptions of learning from simulation-based training, exploring whether the orthopaedic community are ‘on the same page’, with respect to each other and the educational community. Qualitative research in the form of semi-structured interviews is used to identify commonalities and differences between trainee and trainer conceptions, based on respective experiences and expectations, and suggests ways of enhancing collaboration between stakeholders to achieve better alignment of conceptions. The research revealed that orthopaedic trainees and trainers conceive key themes in a similar manner: supporting the role of simulation in developing the ‘pre-trained novice’ as opposed to skill refinement or maintenance; attributing greater importance to non-technical rather than technical skills development using simulation; questioning the transferability to practice of learnt skills; and emphasising similar barriers to increased curriculum integration, including financing and scheduling. These conceptions are largely in contrast to those of the educational community, possibly due to differing conceptions of learning between the two communities, along with a lack of a common language in the discourse of simulation. There was some evidence of changing attitudes and positively emerging conceptions among the orthopaedic community, and capitalising on this by engaging trainers and trainees may help reconcile the differing conceptions and facilitate increasing simulation utilisation and curriculum integration. Developing a common language to make the educational more tangible to surgeons, bringing the educational closer to the surgical, may help maximise the educational benefit and shape the future of simulation use in surgical training

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A core outcome set for adult, open lower limb fracture has been established consisting of ‘Walking, gait and mobility’, ‘Being able to return to life roles’, ‘Pain or discomfort’, and ‘Quality of life’. This study aims to identify which outcome measurement instruments (OMIs) should be recommended to measure each core outcome.

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Periprosthetic hip-joint infection is a multifaceted and highly detrimental outcome for patients and clinicians. The incidence of prosthetic joint infection reported within two years of primary hip arthroplasty ranges from 0.8% to 2.1%. Costs of treatment are over five-times greater in people with periprosthetic hip joint infection than in those with no infection. Currently, there are no national evidence-based guidelines for treatment and management of this condition to guide clinical practice or to inform clinical study design. The aim of this study is to develop guidelines based on evidence from the six-year INFection and ORthopaedic Management (INFORM) research programme.

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To systematically review qualitative studies of patients with distal tibia or ankle fracture, and explore their experience of injury and recovery.

Aims. The aim of this study was to develop a core outcome set of what to measure in all future clinical research on hand fractures and joint injuries in adults. Methods. Phase 1 consisted of steps to identify potential outcome domains through systematic review of published studies, and exploration of the patient perspective through qualitative research, consisting of 25 semi-structured interviews and five focus groups. Phase 2 involved key stakeholder groups (patients, hand surgeons, and hand therapists) prioritizing the outcome domains via a three-round international Delphi survey, with a final consensus meeting to agree the final core outcome set. Results. The systematic review of 160 studies identified 74 outcome domains based on the World Health Organization International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health. Overall, 35 domains were generated through thematic analysis of the patient interviews and focus groups. The domains from these elements were synthesised to develop 37 outcome domains as the basis of the Delphi survey, with a further four generated from participant suggestions in Round 1. The Delphi survey identified 20 outcome domains as ‘very important’ for the core outcome set. At the consensus meeting, 27 participants from key stakeholder groups selected seven outcomes for the core outcome set: pain/discomfort with activity, pain/discomfort with rest, fine hand use/dexterity, self-hygiene/personal care, return to usual work/job, range of motion, and patient satisfaction with outcome/result. Conclusion. This set of core outcome domains is recommended as a minimum to be reported in all clinical research on hand fractures and joint injuries in adults. While this establishes what to measure, future work will focus on determining how best to measure these outcomes. By adopting this patient-centred core outcome set, consistency and comparability of studies will be improved, aiding meta-analysis and strengthening the evidence base for management of these common and impactful injuries. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2023;4(2):87–95

With the rising rates, and associated costs, of total knee arthroplasty (TKA), enhanced clarity regarding patient appropriateness for TKA is warranted. Towards addressing this gap, we elucidated in qualitative research that surgeons and osteoarthritis (OA) patients considered TKA need, readiness/willingness, health status, and expectations of TKA most important in determining patient appropriateness for TKA. The current study evaluated the predictive validity of pre-TKA measures of these appropriateness domains for attainment of a good TKA outcome. This prospective cohort study recruited knee OA patients aged 30+ years referred for TKA at two hip/knee surgery centers in Alberta, Canada. Those receiving primary, unilateral TKA completed questionnaires pre-TKA assessing TKA need (WOMAC-pain, ICOAP-pain, NRS-pain, KOOS-physical function, Perceived Arthritis Coping Efficacy, prior OA treatment), TKA readiness/willingness (Patient Acceptable Symptom State (PASS), willingness to undergo TKA), health status (PHQ-8, BMI, MSK and non-MSK comorbidities), TKA expectations (HSS KR Expectations survey items) and contextual factors (e.g., age, gender, employment status). One-year post-TKA, we assessed for a ‘good outcome’ (yes/no), defined as improved knee symptoms (OARSI-OMERACT responder criteria) AND overall satisfaction with TKA results. Multiple logistic regression, stepwise variable selection, and best possible subsets regression was used to identify the model with the smallest number of independent variables and greatest discriminant validity for our outcome. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to compare the discriminative ability of each appropriateness domain based on the ‘area under the ROC curve’ (AUC). Multivariable robust Poisson regression was used to assess the relationship of the variables to achievement of a good outcome. f 1,275 TKA recipients, 1,053 (82.6%) had complete data for analyses (mean age 66.9 years [SD 8.8]; 58.6% female). Mean WOMAC pain and KOOS-PS scores were 11.5/20 (SD 3.5) and 52.8/100 (SD 17.1), respectively. 78.1% (95% CI 75.4–80.5%) achieved a good outcome. Stepwise variable selection identified optimal discrimination was achieved with 13 variables. The three best 13-variable models included measures of TKA need (WOMAC pain, KOOS-PS), readiness/willingness (PASS, TKA willingness), health status (PHQ-8, troublesome hips, contralateral knee, low back), TKA expectations (the importance of improved psychological well-being, ability to go up stairs, kneel, and participate in recreational activities as TKA outcomes), and patient age. Model discrimination was fair for TKA need (AUC 0.68, 95% CI 0.63-0.72), TKA readiness/willingness (AUC 0.61, 95% CI 0.57-0.65), health status (AUC 0.59, 95% CI 0.54-0.63) and TKA expectations (AUC 0.58, 95% CI 0.54-0.62), but the model with all appropriateness variables had good discrimination (AUC 0.72, 95% CI 0.685-0.76). The likelihood of achieving a good outcome was significantly higher for those with greater knee pain, disability, unacceptable knee symptoms, definite willingness to undergo TKA, less depression who considered improved ability to perform recreational activities or climb stairs ‘very important’ TKA outcomes, and lower in those who considered it important that TKA improve psychological wellbeing or ability to kneel. Beyond surgical need (OA symptoms) and health status, assessment of patients’ readiness and willingness to undergo, and their expectations for, TKA, should be incorporated into assessment of patient appropriateness for surgery