Aims. It is well described that patients with bone and joint infections (BJIs) commonly experience significant functional impairment and disability. Published literature is lacking on the impact of BJIs on mental health. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and the impact on mental health in patients with BJIs. Methods. The AO Trauma Infection Registry is a prospective multinational registry. In total, 229 adult patients with long-bone BJI were enrolled between 1 November 2012 and 31 August 2017 in 18 centres from ten countries. Clinical outcome data, demographic data, and details on infections and treatments were collected. Patient-reported outcomes using the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey questionnaire (SF-36), Parker Mobility Score, and Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living were assessed at one, six, and 12 months. The SF-36 mental component subscales were analyzed and correlated with infection characteristics and clinical outcome. Results. The SF-36
There has been a substantial increase in the surgical treatment of unstable chest wall injuries recently. While a variety of fixation methods exist, most surgeons have used plate and screw fixation. Rib-specific locking plate systems are available, however evidence supporting their use over less-expensive, conventional plate systems (such as pelvic reconstruction plates) is lacking. We sought to address this by comparing outcomes between locking plates and non-locking plates in a cohort of patients from a prior randomized trial who received surgical stabilization of their unstable chest wall injury. We used data from the surgical group of a previous multi-centred, prospective, randomized controlled trial comparing surgical fixation of acute, unstable chest wall injuries to non-operative management. In this substudy, our primary outcome was hardware-related complications and re-operation. Secondary outcomes included ventilator free days (VFDs) in the first 28 days following injury, length of ICU and hospital stay, and general health outcomes (SF-36
Persistent post-surgical pain and associated disability are common after a traumatic fracture repair. Preliminary evidence suggests that patients' beliefs and perceptions may influence their prognosis. We sought to explore this association. We used data from the Fluid Lavage of Open Wounds trial to determine, in 1560 open fracture patients undergoing surgical repair, the association between Somatic PreOccupation and Coping (captured by the SPOC questionnaire) and recovery at 1 year. Of the 1218 open fracture patients with complete data available for analysis, 813 (66.7%) reported moderate to extreme pain at 1 yr. The addition of SPOC scores to an adjusted regression model to predict persistent pain improved the concordance statistic from 0.66 to 0.74, and found the greatest risk was associated with high SPOC scores [odds ratio: 5.63, 99% confidence interval (CI): 3.59–8.84, absolute risk increase 40.6%, 99% CI: 30.8%, 48.6%]. Thirty-eight per cent (484 of 1277) reported moderate to extreme pain interference at 1 yr. The addition of SPOC scores to an adjusted regression model to predict pain interference improved the concordance statistic from 0.66 to 0.75, and the greatest risk was associated with high SPOC scores (odds ratio: 6.06, 99% CI: 3.97–9.25, absolute risk increase: 18.3%, 95% CI: 11.7%, 26.7%). In our adjusted multivariable regression models, SPOC scores at 6 weeks post-surgery accounted for 10% of the variation in short form-12
Introduction. Total joint arthroplasty is regarded as a highly successful procedure. However, patient outcomes and implant longevity require proper alignment and prosthesis position. Computer-assisted total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has been found to improve the accuracy of component positioning and reduce rates of revision, however there remains debate whether it provides improvements in patient reported outcomes (PROs). The purpose of our study was to compare PROs between computer-assisted and conventional TKA. Methods. A retrospective review of all total knee arthroplasty patients was conducted using a single institution's FORCE database for reporting PROs. Knee Society Score (KSS), procedure satisfaction,
A significant portion of ankle arthroplasty and ankle arthrodesis procedures performed in British Columbia are funded by the public medical services plan (MSP). However, some patients are treated privately through self-pay or by the workers compensation board (WCB), with the latter two groups being more likely to receive treatment sooner. The potential effect of payer on patient-reported outcomes and reoperation rates has not been previously explored. A retrospective chart review was performed using data from the Canadian Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Prospective Ankle Reconstruction Database. N=443 patients (393 MSP, 26 self-pay, 24 WCB), treated with total ankle replacement or ankle arthrodesis by three subspecialty-trained surgeons in Vancouver from 1999–2003, were analyzed. Outcomes were compared, by payer, preoperatively and at long-term follow-up (6.3 years, range 2–14 years). Function was assessed using the Ankle Osteoarthritis Scale (AOS) Total score (primary outcome) and the AOS Pain and Difficulty subscores. Expectation and satisfaction with symptoms was assessed using the Musculoskeletal Outcomes Data Evaluation and Management Scale, and physical and emotional quality of life was assessed using the Short Form-36 (SF-36) Health Survey in terms of the mental component summary (MCS) and
INTRODUCTION. Lumbar total disc replacement (TDR) is an alternative treatment to avoid fusion related adverse events, specifically adjacent segment disease. New generation of elastomeric non-articulating devices have been developed to more effectively replicate the shock absorption and flexural stiffness of native disc. This study reports 5 years clinical and radiographic outcomes, range of motion and position of the center of rotation after a viscoelastic TDR. Material and methods. This prospective observational cohort study included 61 consecutive patients with monosegmental TDR. We selected patients with intermediate functional activity according to Baecke score. Hybrid constructs had been excluded. Only cases with complete clinical and radiological follow-up at 3, 6, 12, 24 and 60 months were included. Mean age at the time of surgery was 42.8 +7.7 years-old (27–60) and mean BMI was 24.2 kg/m² +3.4 (18–33). TDR level was L5-S1 in 39 cases and L4-L5 in 22 cases. The clinical evaluation was based on Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score, Short Form-36 (SF36) including
Purpose. There is no clear definition of a critical sized defect of the tibia. We defined it as a fracture gap at least one centimeter in length and involving over 50% of the cortical diameter. We explored if the presence of a critical-sized defect predicted reoperation, and which other factors predict reoperation in patients with the critical defect. The patient based outcomes of these patients were compared to patients without a critical defect. Method. Patients enrolled in the SPRINT trial with a critical sized defect were evaluated for secondary interventions to gain union. Other factors predicting the need for reoperation were studied. We also compared the patients with critical sized defects to the larger cohort of patients without a defect with respect to demographics, injury mechanism, fracture characteristics, and patient-based outcome. Results. Tibial diaphyseal defects of greater than or equal to one centimeter and >50% cortical circumference healed without additional surgery in 47% of cases. Fewer reoperations were required in patients treated with a reamed nail (p=0.04). The mean of the SF-36
Purpose. We explored the role of patients beliefs and attitudes towards their likelihood of recovery from severe physical trauma. Method. We developed and validated an instrument designed to capture the impact of patients beliefs and attitudes towards functional recovery from injury; the Somatic Pre-Occupation and Coping (SPOC) questionnaire. At six weeks post-surgical fixation, we administered the SPOC questionnaire to 359 consecutive patients with operatively managed tibial shaft fractures. We constructed multi-variable regression models to explore the association between SPOC scores and functional outcome at one year, as measured by return to work and Short Form-36 (SF-36)
Purpose. The measurement of functional outcomes in pelvic fracture patients remains difficult for authors. We aimed to test the construct validity, respondent burden, and patient perception of three previously published pelvic outcome questionnaires. Method. Subjects completed three pelvic specific, and three general functional outcome instruments. Time for each pelvic instrument was recorded, as was which score the patient felt best addressed their symptoms. Patients stated the three most significant impacts the pelvic fracture had on their life. Results. We recruited 33 patients, who were a mean of 61 months from surgery (13–115 months). Mobility difficulty (26), emotional stress (20), employment difficulty (15), sleep and anxiety (7), sexual function (4), were the most important consequences of their injuries. All pelvic questionnaires correlated with the
Background. Deciding how to allocate scarce surgical resources is a worldwide issue. These decisions are difficult when considering procedures aimed primarily at improving functional quality of life, such as lower extremity joint replacement (LEJR) surgery, and procedures perceived as life preserving which also have impacts on physical function, such as coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Comparing functional outcomes of these two procedures may provide further evidence to guide resource allocation decisions. Methods. We compared patient-reported functional outcomes following CABG and LEJR surgery using standardised, validated outcome metrics. A retrospective review of prospectively collected pre- and post-operative health related quality of life (SF-36) measures were conducted from 105 patients undergoing elective CABG and 105 elective LEJR surgery patients. Patients were matched based on gender and age. Results. Pre-operatively, CABG patients reported statistically superior (p< 0.05) Physical Functioning, Bodily Pain, and
Background. Vertebral body compression fractures (VCFs) impair quality of life (QOL) and increase patient morbidity and mortality. The international, multicentre, randomised, controlled Fracture Reduction Evaluation (FREE) trial was initiated to compare effectiveness and safety of Balloon kyphoplasty (BKP) to non-surgical management (NSM) for the treatment of acute painful VCFs. We describe the primary endpoint of the ongoing 2-year study. Methods. Patients with 1-3 non-traumatic VCFs (< 3 months old) were randomised to either BKP or NSM. The primary endpoint was the change in QOL as measured by the SF-36 Health Survey
Purpose. The prevalence of focal chondral lesions reported inthe literature during knee arhroscopy can be as high as 63%. Of these, more than half are either grade III or grade IV lesions (Outerbridge). Full thickness cartilage lesions ranging from 2cm2 to 10cm2 are the most challenging to treat. To goal of this study was to evaluate clinical outcomes of pain, function and quality of life, along with radiological outcomes of cartilage repair using microfracture, autologous minced cartilage and polymeric scaffold. Method. A cohort of thirty-eight patients with Outerbridge grade III or IV cartilage injuries larger than 2cm2 in the knee's femoral condyle, trochlea or patella were prospectively folowed since 2008. They were all treated with microfracture, fresh minced autologous cartilage grafting and a polymeric scaffold technique through mini-arthrotomy of the knee. Autografts and scaffolds were secured to subchondral bone using fibrin glue and tran-sosseous resorbable sutures. Patients were evaluated pre and postoperatively using VAS scores for pain, WOMAC and IKDC scores for knee function and SF-36 questionnaire for quality of life. Clinical evaluations were done by physical examination, and imaging was done using X-Rays, MRI and arthro-CT. Results. Mean follow-up time was14.64.6 months. Mean age was 48.39.3 years old. Pre-op lesions averaged 3.51.5 cm2. VAS pain scores were significantly reduced after surgery (7,62 to 2,52.3, p<. 0001). Improvement in knee function using IKDC score improved from 26,717.5 to 55,415.3, p<. 001). In addition, WOMAC total scores showed significant reduction from 55,520.3 to 27,517.6. SF-36 quality of life
Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common causes of knee pain in the aging population and presents with higher odds with increased BMI. Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has become the standard of care for the treatment of OA. Over “719,000 TKA's were performed in 2010 in the USA alone, with dramatic economic burden- costing 16,000 USD per TKA” (CDC 2012). Over the past two decades, this cost was compounded by the unknown increasing rate of primary TKA and cannot be explained by the expanding population or worldwide obesity epidemic. These facts raise two key questions: are patients' quality of life expectations higher and driving the TKA rate up, or have surgeons changed their indications and started to operate on less disabled people? Our study aimed to determine the average functional profile for patients undergoing TKA using patient reported Outcome Measure (SF-36), to document if preoperative SF-36 scores have changed over the past two decades, and lastly to asses if patient pre-operative SF-36 scores are lower in in the USA vs the rest of the world. A literature search of Medline, Embase and Cochrane databases was performed extracting data from publishing year 1966 to 2016 with a search date of Dec 12, 2016. Two independent reviewers revised the abstracts and excluded articles with: no TKA, revision TKA, no pre-op SF-36, no SF-36 reported, incomplete scores to calculate SF-36, duplicates, review article, meta-analysis, letter to the editor, conference proceeding or abstract, disagreements were resolved with a third reviewer. All languages were included to maximize the catchment of data. All remaining articles were independently read and excluded if they did not provide data required for our study. Included articles were analyzed for data including: for year of patient enrollment, location (USA vs. non-USA), pre-operative SF-36 mental (MCS) and
Purpose. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes and complications of normal weight, class one obese (BMI=30-34.9 kg/m2) and superobese (BMI≥50 kg/m2) primary total knee replacement (TKR) patients. Method. Between January 1995 and December 2005, 4104 primary TKR were performed in our centre. Patients were stratified for their obesity level according the World Health Organisation (WHO) and current surgical literature classification. Sixty-seven superobese patients (group one) were identified. They were matched with normal weight (group two) and class one obese (group three) primary TKR patients for sex, age, side, preoperative diagnosis, implants used, time since surgery and preoperative SF-12 mental component summary score (MCS). Patient clinical outcomes (WOMAC, SF-12 and Knee Society scores), radiographs, complications, readmissions, and revisions rates were compared for normal BMI, class one obese and superobese patients. Results. The mean BMI of our primary TKR patients was 32,6. Using the WHO BMI classification, 0.3% were underweight, 10.4% normal weight, 30.1 % overweight, 31.0 % class 1 obesity, 16.5 % class 2 obesity, 9.8 % class 3 obesity and 1.9 % superobese. Superobese population (n=67) was 61.59.2 yo, with sex ratio at 5.1 (F=56;M=11), preoperative SF-12 MCS at 52.610.6. Their preoperative diagnosis was osteoarthritis (n=62) or inflammatory arthritis (n=5). All groups were equal (n=67) and were similar for these characteristics. Mean clinical and radiographic follow-up was 7.33.2 yrs. Superobese patients presented lower preoperative SF-12
Lengthening of the humerus is now an established
technique. We compared the complications of humeral lengthening
with those of femoral lengthening and investigated whether or not
the callus formation in the humerus proceeds at a higher rate than
that in the femur. A total of 24 humeral and 24 femoral lengthenings
were performed on 12 patients with achondroplasia. We measured the
pixel value ratio (PVR) of the lengthened area on radiographs and
each radiograph was analysed for the shape, type and density of
the callus. The quality of life (QOL) of the patients after humeral
lengthening was compared with that prior to surgery. The complication
rate per segment of humerus and femur was 0.87% and 1.37%, respectively.
In the humerus the PVR was significantly higher than that of the
femur. Lower limbs were associated with an increased incidence of
concave, lateral and central callus shapes. Humeral lengthening
had a lower complication rate than lower-limb lengthening, and QOL
increased significantly after humeral lengthening. Callus formation
in the humerus during the distraction period proceeded at a significantly
higher rate than that in the femur. These findings indicate that humeral lengthening has an important
role in the management of patients with achondroplasia.