Aims

This study aims to assess the feasibility of conducting a pragmatic, multicentre randomized controlled trial (RCT) to test the clinical and cost-effectiveness of an informal caregiver training programme to support the recovery of people following hip fracture surgery.

Hip prosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a debilitating complication following joint replacement surgery, with significant impact on patients and healthcare systems. The INFection ORthopaedic Management: Evidence into Practice (INFORM:EP) study, builds upon the 6-year INFORM programme by developing evidence-based guidelines for the identification and management of hip PJI. A panel of 21 expert stakeholders collaborated to develop best practice guidelines based on evidence from INFORM \[1\]. An expert consensus process was used to refine guidelines using RAND/UCLA criteria. The guidelines were then implemented over a 12-month period through a Learning Collaborative of 24 healthcare professionals from 12 orthopaedic centres in England. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 17 members of the collaborative and findings used to inform the development of an implementation support toolkit. Patient and public involvement contextualised the implementation of the guidelines. The study is registered with the ISCRTN (34710385). The INFORM guidelines, structured around the stages of PJI management, were largely supported by surgeons, although barriers included limited awareness among non-surgical team members, lack of job planning for multidisciplinary teams, and challenges in ensuring timely referrals from primary care. Psychological support for patients was identified as a critical gap. Advanced Nurse Practitioners and multidisciplinary team (MDT) coordinators were seen as potential bridges to address these knowledge gaps. The guidelines were also viewed as a useful tool for service development. This study presents the first evidence-based guidelines for hip PJI management, offering a comprehensive approach to prevention, treatment, and postoperative care. Effective implementation is crucial, involving wider dissemination amongst primary and community care, as well as non-specialist treatment centres. Further resources are needed to ensure job planning for MDTs and psychological support for patients. Overall, this study lays the foundation for improved PJI management, benefiting patients and healthcare systems

The increased demand for total hip arthroplasty (THA) is having a significant impact on healthcare resources, resulting in increased interest in outpatient care pathways to reduce resource consumption. This study compared costs between patients who underwent outpatient THA using a Direct Anterior (DA) approach compared to a Direct Lateral (DL) approach to understand the effect of surgical approach on resource use. We conducted a prospective randomized controlled trial for DA patients undergoing primary THA. We compared patients in the outpatient arm of the trial to a prospective cohort of outpatient DL approach THAs. We recorded all costs including: equipment, length of stay in hospital, and laboratory or other medical tests. Following discharge, participants also completed a self-reported cost diary recording resource utilization such as emergency department visits or subsequent hospitalizations, tests and procedures, consultations or follow-up, healthcare professional services, rehabilitation, use of pain medications, informal care, productivity losses and out of pocket expenditures. We report costs from both Canadian public health care payer (HCP) and a societal perspective. The HCP perspective includes any direct health costs covered by the publicly funded system. In addition to the health care system costs, the societal perspective also includes additional costs to the patient (e.g. physiotherapy, medication, or assistive devices), as well as any indirect costs such as time off paid employment for patients or caregivers. We included 127 patients in the DA group (66.6 years old) and 51 patients in the DL group (59.4 years old) (p<0.01). There were no statistically significant differences in costs between groups from both the healthcare payer (DA= 7910.19, DL= 7847.17, p=0.80) and societal perspectives (DA= 14657.21, DL= 14581.21, p=0.96). In patients undergoing a successful outpatient hip replacement, surgical approach does not have an effect on cost from in hospital or societal perspectives

Mortality following revision hip surgery for periprosthetic fracture (PPF) has been reported to be as high as 60% at 5 years. The aim of this study was to determine the mortality rate for PPF revisions, compared to revision for aseptic loosening or infection at our tertiary referral centre. Revision arthroplasty procedures performed for PPF, aseptic loosening or infection between January 2014 and December 2015 at our institution were identified using a prospectively collected PPF referral database and locally collected NJR data. Comparisons were made between the 3 groups for baseline demographics, admission to higher-level care, length of stay, complications, and Kaplan-Meier failure (mortality) at 1 & 5 years post-operative (with log-rank test for equality). There were 37 PPF, 71 infected and 221 aseptic revisions. PPF had a higher proportion of females (65% vs. 39% in infection and 53% in aseptic; p = 0.031) and grade 3 and 4 ASA patients (p = 0.006). Median time to surgery from injury for PPF was 8 days (95% CI, 6–16). Single-stage procedures were performed in 84% of PPF, 42% of infection and 99% of aseptic revisions (p < 0.001). 19% of PPF revisions required HDU admission, 1% in the aseptic group and none in the infection group (p<0.001). Median length of stay was significantly different (PPF 10; infection 14; aseptic 8 days (p < 0.001). The Kaplan-Meier estimate of 1-year mortality were: PPF = 0%; infection = 2.8% (0.7–11.1%); aseptic = 0.9% (0.2–3.5%). 5-year mortality estimates were: PPF = 17.1% (8–34%), infection = 8.7% (4–18.3%), aseptic = 12% (8.4–17%). Log-rank test of equality was not significant, p=0.833. Despite the PPF group having an average delay to surgery of 8 days, higher ASA grades and more admissions to HDU there was no significant difference in mortality rates between the groups at 1 and 5 years postoperatively. Using a coherent MDT approach with dedicated healthcare professionals this service demonstrates a low post operative mortality rate which merits further investment and development

Aims. Although there is increasing legalization of the use of cannabis in the USA, few well-powered studies have evaluated the association between cannabis use disorder and outcomes following primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). Thus, the aim of this study was to determine whether patients who use cannabis and undergo primary THA have higher rates of in-hospital length of stay (LOS), medical complications, implant-related complications, and costs. Methods. Using an administrative database, patients with cannabis use disorder undergoing primary THA were matched to a control group in a 1:5 ratio by age, sex, and various medical comorbidities. This yielded 23,030 patients (3,842 in the study group matched with 19,188 in the control group). The variables which were studied included LOS, 90-day medical complications, two-year implant-related complications, and 90-day costs of care. Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare LOS and costs. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) of developing complications. Results. We found that patients in the study group had a significantly longer mean LOS compared with the controls (four days vs three days; p < 0.0001).The study group also had a significantly higher incidence and odds of developing medical (23.0 vs 9.8%, OR 1.6; p < 0.0001) and implant-related complications (16 vs 7.4%, OR 1.6; p < 0.0001) and incurred significantly higher mean 90-day costs ($16,938.00 vs $16,023.00; p < 0.0001). Conclusion. With the increasing rates of cannabis use, these findings allow orthopaedic surgeons and other healthcare professionals to counsel patients with cannabis use disorder about the possible outcomes following their THA, with increased hospital stays, complications, and costs. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(7 Supple B):111–115

Introduction. With the widespread legalization of cannabis across the United States, well-powered studies evaluating the impact of cannabis use disorder on outcomes following primary total hip arthroplasty are warranted. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine whether cannabis use disorder has an effect on patients who undergo primary hip arthroplasty in terms of: 1) hospital lengths of stay (LOS); 2) medical complications; 3) implant-related complications; and 4) costs of care. Methods. Using an administrative database, patients who underwent primary total hip arthroplasty and had cannabis use disorder were matched to a cohort who did not in a 1:5 ratio by age, sex, and various medical comorbidities. This yielded 44,154 patients; 7,361 who had cannabis use disorder and 36,793 who did not. Variables for analysis included postoperative LOS, 90-day medical complications, 2-year implant-related complications, and 90-day costs of care. Mann-Whitney-U tests were used to compare LOS and costs. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) of developing complications. A p-value less than 0.005 was considered statistically significant. Results. The study found that patients who had cannabis use disorder had significantly longer in-hospital LOS (4 vs. 3 days, p<0.0001) compared to the matched cohort. Additionally, study patients were found to have significantly higher incidences and odds of developing medical (11.23 vs. 4.82%; OR: 1.47, p<0.0001) and implant-related complications (18.14 vs. 8.60%; OR: 1.50, p<0.0001). Moreover, patients who had cannabis use disorder incurred significantly higher 90-day episode of care costs ($24,585.96 vs. $23,725.93, p<0.0001). Conclusions. With the growing rates of cannabis use, this study can allow orthopaedists and other healthcare professionals to educate cannabis use disorder on the possible outcomes following their total hip arthroplasty. It should be appreciated that cannabis use disorder is associated with longer hospital stays, increased complication rates, and higher costs following primary THA

Introduction. The number of hip fracture admissions is rising; with reduced hospital bed capacity and increasing patient numbers, care pathways must be optimised to maximise inpatient bed efficiency. There is currently significant interest in improving healthcare services across all 7 days in the United Kingdom. It is unclear whether lack of allied healthcare professional review at the weekend is detrimental to hip fracture patient care. This study aims to examine whether providing 7-day physiotherapy and occupational therapy (7DPOT) service improves outcomes for fractured neck of femur patients compared to a 5-day service (5DPOT). Methods. All patients admitted with an acute neck of femur fracture were grouped into three cohorts, depending on provision of 7DPOT services: the initial cohort received 5DPOT between December 2012 and March 2013. Seven-day physiotherapy and occupational therapy was introduced for one year from October 2014 until September 2015 (2. nd. cohort). The service then reverted to 5DPOT between January to June 2016 (3. rd. cohort). The third cohort was utilised to nullify changes in the overall service which had occurred which were not attributable to 7DPOT. Data was collected prospectively using a specially designed audit tool. Results. 580 patients were included, with 533 patients followed out to 120 days. Introduction of 7DPOT saw improvement of documented first mobilisation with a physiotherapist from mean 1.38 days to 0.98 days (p<0.05). No significant differences were seen in inpatient length of stay between the three groups or when comparing all 5DPOT to 7DPOT. Use of 7DPOT did not lead to significant differences in initial discharge location. Mortality at 120-day follow up was observed to improve over time but was not attributable to 7DPOT. Conclusion. This study has not shown any significant improvement in outcomes for hip fracture patients receiving 7DPOT compared 5DPOT. Given the current financial constraints on healthcare services, widespread adoption cannot be recommended

Introduction. Patient demand for hip and knee arthroplasty continues to rise. Information sources providing data on the volume and cost of Medicare total joint arthroplasty by hospital are of use to patients and healthcare professionals. Data have demonstrated that higher volume surgeons are associated with lower cost, morbidity, and mortality. The current study assesses if the same is true for hospitals. Methods. The Limited Data Set (LDS) from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) were used for this study. All elective, DRG 470 Total Hip Arthroplasties (THA) reported by CMS from the first quarter of 2013 through the second quarter of 2016 were included. Volume and part A Medicare payments over a 90-day period for the 20 highest volume hospitals in the US were analyzed. Cost associated with initial hospital stay and post discharge skilled nursing, home health, long term acute care, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, and readmission was aggregated and analyzed. For each episode, demographic information (age, sex, and race), geographic location, and Elixhauser comorbidities were calculated to control for major confounding factors in the regression. Results. For the 20 highest volume centers in the US, total joint volume for CMS insured patients varied from 1104 to 5069. Average cost varied from $16,974 to $22,094. For the 20 highest volume cities in the US, total joint volume for CMS insured patients varied from 1,501 to 6,727. Average Medicare part A payment varied from $14,255 to $21,125. Readmission % varied from 3.9% to 8.2%. 90-day mortality varied from 0.0% to 0.57%. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION. The variation in volume between the top 20 centers in the US varies by more than a factor of 4 with the highest volume hospital having almost twice the volume as the second highest hospital. Part A payments, readmissions, and mortality also varied widely. Within the top 20 hospitals by volume, there does not appear to be a correlation between volume and cost

Aims

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.

Aims

The risk of mechanical failure of modular revision hip stems is frequently mentioned in the literature, but little is currently known about the actual clinical failure rates of this type of prosthesis. The current retrospective long-term analysis examines the distal and modular failure patterns of the Prevision hip stem from 18 years of clinical use. A design improvement of the modular taper was introduced in 2008, and the data could also be used to compare the original and the current design of the modular connection.

Aims

This study aimed to assess the carbon footprint associated with total hip arthroplasty (THA) in a UK hospital setting, considering various components within the operating theatre. The primary objective was to identify actionable areas for reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable orthopaedic practices.

Aims

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a common procedure to address pain and enhance function in hip disorders such as osteoarthritis. Despite its success, postoperative patient recovery exhibits considerable heterogeneity. This study aimed to investigate whether patients follow distinct pain trajectories following THA and identify the patient characteristics linked to suboptimal trajectories.

The lack of a consensus for core health outcomes that should be reported in clinical research has hampered study design and evidence synthesis. We report a United Kingdom consensus for a core outcome set (COS) for clinical trials of patients with a hip fracture.

We adopted a modified nominal group technique to derive consensus on 1) which outcome domains should be measured, and 2) methods of assessment. Participants reflected a diversity of perspectives and experience. They received an evidence synthesis and postal questionnaire in advance of the consensus meeting, and ranked the importance of candidate domains and the relevance and suitability of short-listed measures. During the meeting, pre-meeting source data and questionnaire responses were summarised, followed by facilitated discussion and a final plenary session. A COS was determined using a closed voting system: a 70% consensus was required.

Consensus supported a five-domain COS: mortality, pain, activities of daily living, mobility, and health-related quality of life (HRQL). Single-item measures of mortality and mobility (indoor/outdoor walking status) and a generic multi-item measure of HRQL - the EuroQoL EQ-5D - were recommended. These measures should be included as a minimum in all hip fracture trials. Other outcome measures should be added depending on the particular interventions being studied.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014; 96-B:1016–23.