Study design: A prospective study of 135 subjects with whiplash injury. Objectives: To identify factors predictive of prolonged disability following whiplash injury. Summary of background data: Although subjects with whiplash associated disorders lack demonstrable physical injury, many exhibit prolonged disability. Disability appears unrelated to the severity of the collision. Methods: 147 subjects with recent whiplash injury were interviewed for putative risk factors for disability. 135 were re-interviewed 12 months later to assess degree of duration of disability. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were undertaken to measure the association between putative risk factors and measures of outcome. Results: The bodily pain score and role emotional scores of the SF-36 health questionnaire showed a consistent significant positive association with better outcomes. After adjustment for bodily pain score and role emotional scores, consulting a lawyer was associated with less improvement in NPOS (p< 0.01) after one year, but there was no significant association with rate of return to work. The degree of damage to the vehicle was not a predictor of outcome. Conclusions: SF-36 scores for bodily pain and role emotional are useful means of identifying subjects at risk of prolonged disability. The findings support the implementation of an insurance system designed to minimise litigation

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective study of 135 subjects with whiplash injury. OBJECTIVES: To identify factors predictive of prolonged disability following whiplash injury. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Although subjects with whiplash associated disorders lack demonstrable physical injury, many exhibit prolonged disability. Disability appears unrelated to the severity of the collision. METHODS: 147 subjects with recent whiplash injury were interviewed for putative risk factors for disability. 135 were re-interviewed 12 months later to assess degree of duration of disability. Bi-variate and multi-variate analyses were undertaken to measure the association between putative risk factors and measures of outcome. RESULTS: The bodily pain score and role emotional scores of the SF-36 health questionnaire showed a consistent significant positive association with better outcomes. After adjustment for bodily pain score and role emotional scores, consulting a lawyer was associated with less improvement in NPOS (p< 0.01) after one year, but there was no significant association with rate of return to work. The degree of damage to the vehicle was not a predictor of outcome. CONCLUSIONS: SF-36 scores for bodily pain and role emotional are useful means of identifying subjects at risk of prolonged disability. The findings support the implementation of an insurance system designed to minimise litigation

Background. Disability is an important multifaceted construct. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a brief, generic self-reported disability questionnaire: the Universal Disability Index (UDI). Methods. Convenience sampling was used to collect general population data via an online survey. Data were randomly divided into training and validation subsets. The dimensionality and structure of eight UDI questionnaire items were evaluated using exploratory factor analysis (EFA, training subset) followed by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA, validation subset). To assess concurrent validity, the UDI summed score from the full dataset was compared to the Groningen Activity Restriction Scale (GARS) and the Graded Chronic Pain Scale (GCPS) disability scores. Internal consistency was also assessed. Results. 403 participants enrolled; 364 completed at least one UDI item. Three single-factor versions of the UDI were assessed (8-item, 7-item, and 6-item). All versions performed well during EFA and CFA (182 cases assigned to each), but none met the RMSEA (Root Mean Square Error of Approximation) criterion (≤ 0.08). All versions of the UDI had high internal consistency (Cronbach's α > 0.90) and were strongly correlated (Pearson's r > 0.7) with both GARS and GCPS disability scores, indicating concurrent validity. Conclusions. A brief, generic self-reported disability questionnaire was found to be valid and to possess good psychometric properties. The UDI has a single factor structure and either a 6-item, 7-item or 8-item version can be used to measure disability. For brevity and parsimony, the 6-item UDI is recommended, but further testing of all versions is warranted. Conflicts of interest. No conflicts of interest. Sources of funding. No funding obtained

Introduction. Patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) and psychological aspects of spinal conditions play an important role in its management. Disability benefit in the social welfare system is being closely scrutinized. The PHQ9 and GAD7 are used widely in general practice to aid assessment of depression and anxiety/somatization. To date, their use in the spinal surgery out patient setting has not been assessed. Materials and Method. Over a one-year period the senior author saw 516 new patients. Each patient completed a standard spinal assessment questionnaire consisting of several demographic/aetiological questions and PROMs (VAS back, VAS leg, ODI/NDI, PHQ9 and GAD7). An analysis of these scores was performed. Results. The mean age was 54 years with 237 males and 279 females. The mean VAS Neck/Back was 6.7, VAS Limb 6, ODI/NDI 48, PHQ9 12 and GAD7 8.7. The PHQ9 and GAD7 correlated strongly with the VAS and ODI/NDI scores (r=0.3–0.4, p<0.0001). The PHQ9 correlated strongly with the GAD7 (r=0.83, p<0.0001). 163 patients (31.6%) were receiving disability benefit. Disability benefit was strongly associated with increasing age, VAS, ODI/NDI, PHQ9 and GAD7 scores (p<0.0001). Patients receiving disability benefit have more concerns regarding their pain and worse PROMs. Similar findings were found in the subgroup of 81 patients with chronic degenerative low back pain. Conclusion. The PHQ9 and GAD7 scores appear to correlate well with the standard spinal disability assessment PROMs (VAS and ODI/NDI). Patients receiving disability benefit appear to have worse PROMs including worse measures of depression and anxiety/somatization

Background. Disability is an important multifaceted construct. Identifying sources of disability could help optimise patient care. The aim of this study was to test an approach that not only estimates severity of disability, but also identifies the source(s) of this disability. Methods. An online survey was used to collect data from a convenience sample, recruited via email and social media invitations. Two generic measures of disability, the 8-item Universal Disability Index (UDI8) and Groningen Activity Restriction Scale (GARS) were used to estimate the prevalence and severity of disability in this sample. Non-zero UDI8 item responses generated conditional sub-questions, in which participants could attribute their activity limitations to one or more sources (pain, fatigue, worry, mood, and other). This allowed for a decomposition of UDI8 scores into source components. Results. 403 participants enrolled; 334 completed all UDI8 and GARS items. Of these, 85.3% (285/334) reported at least one restricted activity via the UDI8, while 43.4% (145/334) reported some reduced independence via the GARS. Disability severity increased with age until approximately 40 years, after which it decreased gradually. Pain component scores were high in all individuals with higher and lower disability severity, whereas fatigue component scores were highest in individuals reporting higher disability severity. Worry, mood, and other component scores were not high at any level of disability severity. Conclusions. This approach should be used to identify the prevalence, severity and sources of disability in the general population and in specific patient groups. Conflicts of interest. No conflicts of interest. Sources of funding. No funding obtained

Although the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire was designed, and has been validated, as a measure of disability in patients with disorders of the upper limb, the influence of those of the lower limb on disability as measured by the DASH score has not been assessed. The aim of this study was to investigate whether it exclusively measures disability associated with injuries to the upper limb. The Short Musculoskeletal Functional Assessment, a general musculoskeletal assessment instrument, was also completed by participants. Disability was compared in 206 participants, 84 with an injury to the upper limb, 73 with injury to the lower limb and 49 controls. We found that the DASH score also measured disability in patients with injuries to the lower limb. Care must therefore be taken when attributing disability measured by the DASH score to injuries of the upper limb when problems are also present in the lower limb. Its inability to discriminate clearly between disability due to problems at these separate sites must be taken into account when using this instrument in clinical practice or research

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is the most common cause of disability worldwide, and lumbar spine fusion (LSF) is often chosen to treat pain caused by advanced degenerative disease when clinical treatment failed certain cases, the post-surgical outcomes are not what was expected. Several studies highlight how important are. In psychological variables during the postoperative spine surgery period. The aim of this study is to assess the role of preoperative depression on postoperative clinical outcomes. We included patients who underwent LSF since December 2021. Preoperative depression was assessed administering Beck Depression Inventory questionnaire (BDI). And pain and disability were evaluated at 1, 3, and 6 months, administering respectively Visual Analogic Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). As statistical analysis Mann-Whitney test was performed. We included 46 patients, 20 female (43,5%) and 26 male (56,5%) with an average age of 64,2. The population was divided in two groups, fixing the BDI cut-off point at 10. Patients with BDI < 10 points (N=28) had normal mental health status, instead patients with BDI > 10 points (N=16) had depressive disorders. At 3 months patients with healthy mental status reported statistically significant reduction of pain (U = 372,5, p = .006) and improvement of disability but without statistical significancy (U = 318, p = 0,137). At 6 months patients without psychological disease reported statistically significant reduction of pain (U = 342, p = 0,039) and disability (U = 372,5, p = 0,006). This study demonstrates the correlation between pre-existing depressive state and poorer clinical outcomes after spine surgery. These results are consistent with the literature. Therefore, during the surgical decision making it is crucial to take psychological variables into account in order to predict the results after surgery and inform patients on the potential influence of mental status

Aims. The aim of the study was to determine if there was a direct correlation between the pain and disability experienced by patients and size of their disc prolapse, measured by the disc’s cross-sectional area on T2 axial MRI scans. Methods. Patients were asked to prospectively complete visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores on the day of their MRI scan. All patients with primary disc herniation were included. Exclusion criteria included recurrent disc herniation, cauda equina syndrome, or any other associated spinal pathology. T2 weighted MRI scans were reviewed on picture archiving and communications software. The T2 axial image showing the disc protrusion with the largest cross sectional area was used for measurements. The area of the disc and canal were measured at this level. The size of the disc was measured as a percentage of the cross-sectional area of the spinal canal on the chosen image. The VAS leg pain and ODI scores were each correlated with the size of the disc using the Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC). Intraobserver reliability for MRI measurement was assessed using the interclass correlation coefficient (ICC). We assessed if the position of the disc prolapse (central, lateral recess, or foraminal) altered the symptoms described by the patient. The VAS and ODI scores from central and lateral recess disc prolapses were compared. Results. A total of 56 patients (mean age 41.1 years (22.8 to 70.3)) were included. A high degree of intraobserver reliability was observed for MRI measurement: single measure ICC was 0.99 (95% confidence interval (CI) from 0.97 to 0.99 (p < 0.001)). The PCC comparing VAS leg scores with canal occupancy for herniated disc was 0.056. The PCC comparing ODI for herniated disc was 0.070. We found 13 disc prolapses centrally and 43 lateral recess prolapses. There were no foraminal prolapses in this group. The position of the prolapse was not found to be related to the mean VAS score or ODI experienced by the patients (VAS, p = 0.251; ODI, p = 0.093). Conclusion. The results of the statistical analysis show that there is no direct correlation between the size or position of the disc prolapse and a patient’s symptoms. The symptoms experienced by patients should be the primary concern in deciding to perform discectomy. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(6):715–720

Background Context. In the assessment and treatment of patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) the bio- psycho-social model is used world wide. Psychological distress has been reported to have a strong relationship with self reported disability. The relationship between psychosocial distress measured with the SCL-90-R and self reported disability measured with the RMDQ has not been investigated. Purpose. To analyze the relationship between psychosocial distress measured with the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) and self reported disability measured with the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) in patients with CLBP. Study design/Setting. This cross sectional study was performed in an outpatient pain rehabilitation setting. Patient sample. The study sample consisted of 152 patients with CLBP. Outcome measures. Scores on SCL-90-R and the RMDQ. Methods. All patients admitted for multidisciplinary treatment completed the SCL-90-R and RMDQ prior to treatment. Pearson’s correlation coefficients between SCL-90-R (Global Severity Index and subscales) and RMDQ were calculated. Results. Correlation coefficients between SCL-90-R (Global Severity Index and subscales) and RMDQ ranged from 0.18 to 0.31 (p< 0.05). Conclusion. The relationship between psychosocial distress measured with the SCL-90-R and self reported disability measured with the RMDQ in CLBP patients is weak. For clinical practice it is important to unravel the components and their suggested relationships in the bio-psycho-social model. This research has demonstrated that these relationships cannot be confirmed with the combined use of the SCL-90-R and the RMDQ. Further research is needed to determine which combination of instruments is most suitable to use in clinical practice, and to confirm or refute the suggested impact of psychosocial distress on self reported disability

Aims. To study the associations of lumbar developmental spinal stenosis (DSS) with low back pain (LBP), radicular leg pain, and disability. Methods. This was a cross-sectional study of 2,206 subjects along with L1-S1 axial and sagittal MRI. Clinical and radiological information regarding their demographics, workload, smoking habits, anteroposterior (AP) vertebral canal diameter, spondylolisthesis, and MRI changes were evaluated. Mann-Whitney U tests and chi-squared tests were conducted to search for differences between subjects with and without DSS. Associations of LBP and radicular pain reported within one month (30 days) and one year (365 days) of the MRI, with clinical and radiological information, were also investigated by utilizing univariate and multivariate logistic regressions. Results. Subjects with DSS had higher prevalence of radicular leg pain, more pain-related disability, and lower quality of life (all p < 0.05). Subjects with DSS had 1.5 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.0 to 2.1; p = 0.027) and 1.8 (95% CI 1.3 to 2.6; p = 0.001) times higher odds of having radicular leg pain in the past month and the past year, respectively. However, DSS was not associated with LBP. Although, subjects with a spondylolisthesis had 1.7 (95% CI 1.1 to 2.5; p = 0.011) and 2.0 (95% CI 1.2 to 3.2; p = 0.008) times greater odds to experience LBP in the past month and the past year, respectively. Conclusion. This large-scale study identified DSS as a risk factor of acute and chronic radicular leg pain. DSS was seen in 6.9% of the study cohort and these patients had narrower spinal canals. Subjects with DSS had earlier onset of symptoms, more severe radicular leg pain, which lasted for longer and were more likely to have worse disability and poorer quality of life. In these patients there is an increased likelihood of nerve root compression due to a pre-existing narrowed canal, which is important when planning surgery as patients are likely to require multi-level decompression surgery. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(1):131–140

Injuries to the limb are the most frequent cause of permanent disability following combat wounds. We reviewed the medical records of 450 soldiers to determine the type of upper limb nerve injuries sustained, the rate of remaining motor and sensory deficits at final follow-up, and the type of Army disability ratings granted. Of 189 soldiers with an injury of the upper limb, 70 had nerve-related trauma. There were 62 men and eight women with a mean age of 25 years (18 to 49). Disabilities due to nerve injuries were associated with loss of function, neuropathic pain or both. The mean nerve-related disability was 26% (0% to 70%), accounting for over one-half of this cohort’s cumulative disability. Patients injured in an explosion had higher disability ratings than those injured by gunshot. The ulnar nerve was most commonly injured, but most disability was associated with radial nerve trauma. In terms of the final outcome, at military discharge 59 subjects (84%) experienced persistent weakness, 48 (69%) had a persistent sensory deficit and 17 (24%) experienced chronic pain from scar-related or neuropathic pain. Nerve injury was the cause of frequent and substantial disability in our cohort of wounded soldiers. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:254–8

Introduction. Functional deficits persist in a significant percentage of total hip arthroplasties (THA), leading to patient dissatisfaction. Spinal stenosis is a leading cause of chronic disability and lower extremity weakness. Although previous studies have evaluated the potential benefit of THA on back pain, none have reported the effects of spine disability on functional outcomes and patient satisfaction with THA. Methods. 244 primary THAs (233 patients) with minimum 2-year follow-up rated their satisfaction, return to activity, and standard hip outcomes using the Oxford Hip Score (OHS). History of lumbar spine pain, lumbar surgery, and daily activity limitations was documented and an Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score was calculated. Results. 151 of 244 (62%) patients reported a history of back problems: 35 patients (14%) – history of lumbar surgery, 91 (37%) – daily low back pain, and 97 (40%) – back pain that limited activity. Patients with a history of back problems had lower OHS scores than those without, p=0.0001. Pain relief was reported by 93% versus resumption of activities in 82% of THA patients, p=0.025. Increasing spine disability, as determined by ODI, correlated with poor OHS, p<0.0001. Spine disability (ODI) was directly associated with patient dissatisfaction for pain relief (R=0.41, p<0.0001), return to activity (R=0.34, p<0.0001), and overall surgical results (ODI, R=0.38, p<0.0001) at 2 years after THA. Patient age, gender, and BMI were not associated with poor THA outcomes. Conclusions. The majority of THA patients have a history of lumbar spine problems. The Oswestry Spine Disability Index, which is the primary outcome measure of spinal disorders, correlated strongly with poor THA outcomes. Moderate and severe lumbar spine disability directly correlated with worse Oxford Hip Scores. Spine disability was directly associated with THA dissatisfaction

Background. The aim of the Groningen Spine Center (GSC) is to provide personalized and effective interventions to patients with spine-related disorders. The GSC comprises a multidisciplinary team to triage and treat patients most optimally. Aim. To investigate the patient reported clinical results of the treatments of the GSC during seven years of its existence. Patients and methods. The basis of this study is a natural cohort of all patients admitted to the GSC. Treatments existed of rehabilitation, surgery, anesthesiology, medication, referral to else, advice and self-management, or any combination of the above. Baseline characteristics, pain (Numeric Rating Scale; NRS), disability (Pain Disability Index; PDI) and quality of life (Euroqol 5-D;EQ5D) were obtained at baseline and discharge. Per calendar year, effects will be presented. Descriptive statistics, effect sizes and t-tests were calculated. Results are compared to the minimal clinically important change (MCIC) of the corresponding scales. Results. In total, 9.897 patients (43% male, mean age 49.2±16.1 yrs) were analyzed on T0, of whom 1.373 filled in a discharge questionnaire. All measures showed statistically significant changes (p<0.01), but for pain and disability mean changes were not always higher than the clinical important change. Effect sizes (d) for pain ranged between 0.44 and 1.01, for disability between 0.40 and 0.80, and for quality of life between 0.41 and 0.76. Conclusion. The Groningen Spine Center provides positive patient reported results over the past 7 years Effect sizes are moderate to high. The results are considered to be clinically important to patients. Non-response and regression to the mean may be sources for bias and should be topic for further research. No conflicts of interest. No funding obtained

Background. Serious traumatic injury is a leading cause of death and disability globally, with the majority of survivors developing chronic pain. Methods. The aims of this study were to describe early predictors of poor long-term outcome for post-trauma pain. We conducted a prospective observational study, recruiting patients admitted to a Major Trauma Centre hospital in England within 14 days of their injuries, and followed them for 12 months. We defined a poor outcome as Chronic Pain Grade ≥ II and measured this at both 6-months and 12-months. A broad range of candidate predictors were used, including surrogates for pain mechanisms, quantitative sensory testing, and psychosocial factors. Univariate models were used to identify the strongest predictors of poor outcome, which were entered into multivariate models. Results. 124 eligible participants were recruited. At 6-months, 19 (23.2%) of 82 respondents reported a good outcome, whereas at 12-months 27 (61.4%) of 44 respondents reported a good outcome. The multivariate model for 6-months produced odds ratios for a unit increase in: number of fractures, 3.179 (0.52 to 19.61); average pain intensity, 1.611 (0.96 to 2.7); pain extent, 1.138 (0.92 to 1.41) and post-traumatic stress symptoms, 1.044 (0.10 to 1.10). At 12-months, equivalent values were: number of fractures, 1.653 (0.77 to 3.55); average pain intensity, 0.967 (0.67 to 1.40); pain extent, 1.062 (0.92 to 1.23) and post-traumatic stress symptoms, 1.025 (0.99 to 1.07). Conclusion. A poor long-term pain outcome from musculoskeletal traumatic injuries can be predicted by measures recorded within days of injury. Conflicts of interest: No conflicts of interest. Sources of funding: This study was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre (SRMRC)

Aims. To identify the prevalence of neuropathic pain after lower limb fracture surgery, assess associations with pain severity, quality of life and disability, and determine baseline predictors of chronic neuropathic pain at three and at six months post-injury. Methods. Secondary analysis of a UK multicentre randomized controlled trial (Wound Healing in Surgery for Trauma; WHiST) dataset including adults aged 16 years or over following surgery for lower limb major trauma. The trial recruited 1,547 participants from 24 trauma centres. Neuropathic pain was measured at three and six months using the Doleur Neuropathique Questionnaire (DN4); 701 participants provided a DN4 score at three months and 781 at six months. Overall, 933 participants provided DN4 for at least one time point. Physical disability (Disability Rating Index (DRI) 0 to 100) and health-related quality-of-life (EuroQol five-dimension five-level; EQ-5D-5L) were measured. Candidate predictors of neuropathic pain included sex, age, BMI, injury mechanism, concurrent injury, diabetes, smoking, alcohol, analgaesia use pre-injury, index surgery location, fixation type, Injury Severity Score, open injury, and wound care. Results. The median age of the participants was 51 years (interquartile range 35 to 64). At three and six months post-injury respectively, 32% (222/702) and 30% (234/787) had neuropathic pain, 56% (396/702) and 53% (413/787) had chronic pain without neuropathic characteristics, and the remainder were pain-free. Pain severity was higher among those with neuropathic pain. Linear regression analyses found that those with neuropathic pain at six months post-injury had more physical disability (DRI adjusted mean difference 11.49 (95% confidence interval (CI) 7.84 to 15.14; p < 0.001) and poorer quality of life (EQ-5D utility -0.15 (95% CI -0.19 to -0.11); p < 0.001) compared to those without neuropathic characteristics. Logistic regression identified that prognostic factors of younger age, current smoker, below knee fracture, concurrent injuries, and regular analgaesia pre-injury were associated with higher odds of post-injury neuropathic pain. Conclusion. Pain with neuropathic characteristics is common after lower limb fracture surgery and persists to six months post-injury. Persistent neuropathic pain is associated with substantially poorer recovery. Further attention to identify neuropathic pain post-lower limb injury, predicting patients at risk, and targeting interventions, is indicated. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(6):1047–1054

We assessed the effect of mental disability on the outcome of total knee replacement (TKR) and investigated whether mental health improves post-operatively. Outcome data were prospectively recorded over a three-year period for 962 patients undergoing primary TKR for osteoarthritis. Pre-operative and one year Short-Form (SF)-12 scores and Oxford knee scores (OKS) were obtained. The mental component of the SF-12 was stratified into four groups according to level of mental disability (none ≥ 50, mild 40 to 49, moderate 30 to 39, severe < 30). Patients with any degree of mental disability had a significantly greater subjective physical disability according to the SF-12 (p = 0.06) and OKS (p < 0.001). The improvement in the disease-specific score (OKS) was not affected by a patient’s mental health (p = 0.33). In contrast, patients with mental disability had less of an improvement in their global physical health (SF-12) (p < 0.001). However, patients with any degree of mental disability had a significant improvement in their mental health post-operatively (p < 0.001). Despite a similar improvement in their disease-specific scores and improvement in their mental health, patients with mental disability were significantly more likely to be dissatisfied with their TKR at one year (p = 0.001). Patients with poor mental health do benefit from improvements in their mental health and knee function after TKR, but also have a higher rate of dissatisfaction. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:360–6

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to investigate the difference in the level of pre- and 6 months post-operative objective and subjective measures of disability between patients with full-thickness rotator cuff tears and those with impingement syndrome/low grade partial thickness rotator cuff tears. Impact of age, gender, and job demands was taken into consideration. Methods. Standardised pre- and post-operative data were collected on consecutive patients who had undergone surgery related to rotator cuff pathology. A disease-specific disability measure, the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff (WORC) Index which explores five domains of physical symptoms – life style, work, sports, and emotions – was the primary outcome. Paired and independent non-parametric statistics and multivariable regression analysis were performed. Results. Three hundred and thirty patients (140 women and 190 men) with a mean age of 58 years (range, 21-82) met the inclusion criteria. Two hundred and fifteen (65%) patients had full-thickness rotator cuff tears and 115 (35%) had impingement or partial thickness rotator cuff tears. Patients with full-thickness tears complained of greater weakness and had a higher prevalence of a fall on an outstretched hand. They were significantly weaker in elevation both pre- (p=0.0002) and post-operatively (< 0.0001). Patients with impingement syndrome expressed more emotional disability both prior to (0.007) and after surgery (0.004). Both groups showed a statistically significant improvement in overall pain, disability and strength 6 months following surgery (p< 0.0001). Factors that affected emotional disability at both time points were job demands and age. Females were more emotionally disabled before surgery. Conclusion. Patients with impingement syndrome and less extensive tears tend to be more emotionally disabled due to their gender, age and work status/job demands. This needs to be considered when planning for return to work and other activities and when assessing treatment outcomes

Purpose and background. Lumbar spinal fusion (LSF) is frequently and increasingly used in lumbar degenerative disorders despite conflicting results and recommendations. Further understanding of patient outcomes after LSF is required to inform decisions regarding surgery and to improve post-surgery management. The objective was to evaluate the course of pain and disability in patients with degenerative disorders of the lumbar spine (spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, disc herniation, discogenic low back pain) after first-time LSF. Methods and results. A systematic review and meta-analysis of pain and disability outcomes in prospective cohort studies after first time LSF for degenerative disorders. Two independent researchers searched key databases, determined study eligibility, extracted data and assessed risk of bias (modified Quality in Prognostic Studies tool). A third reviewer mediated at each stage. N weighted pooled estimates were calculated. Twenty-five articles (n=1,777 participants) were included. 17 studies were at unclear risk of bias and 8 at high risk. Back pain (12 studies) decreased modestly and irregularly at follow-up intervals. The n weighted mean VAS back pain decreased from 65.4 (±3.3) pre-surgery to 22.2 (±3.1) at 23 months, but then 45.0 (±not reported; 2 studies at risk of bias) at 42 months. In contrast, leg pain (12 studies) improved substantially short and long-term. Disability (20 studies) improved steadily over time with the exception of the 42-months and 48-months intervals. Conclusion. The overall improvement of leg pain and disability after first-time LSF in degenerative disorders is promising in contrast to back pain outcomes. Further research is needed to analyse outcomes in patients of different diagnostic subgroups. Conflicts of interest. None. Sources of funding. None

Purpose. To examine measurement properties of four disability outcomes in patients with advanced osteoarthritis of the glenohumeral joint. Methods. This was a prospective longitudinal study of patients with advanced osteoarthritis of the glenohumeral joint who underwent a Total Shoulder Arthroplasty (TSA) and were followed for 6 months. Four measures [Western Ontario Osteoarthritis Shoulder (WOOS) Index, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) assessment, Constant-Murley score (CMS), and Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH)] were completed 2-3 weeks before surgery and at 6 months after surgery. Results. Seventy-seven patients (average age: 66, range 35 to 86, 60% women, 40% men) participated in the study. The Cronbach's Coefficient Alpha of subjective measures was high at 0.91, 0.86, and 0.83 for WOOS, ASES, and QuickDASH respectively. All measures were able to discriminate between men and women's levels of disability at p< 0.05. Correlations between pre-operative scores were moderate (0.59 to -0.79) and slightly increased post-operatively (0.61 to -0.87). All measures were sensitive in detecting change in the disability status over a period of 6 months. Conclusion. All four disability measures were reliable and valid for use in patients with advanced osteoarthritis of the glenohumeral joint. Outcome measurement in busy clinics can be facilitated by choosing valid and reliable measures that have the advantage of simplicity for use by patients and clinicians. The consensus-based standards for selection of outcome measures have been developed for hip and knee arthritis and need to take place for the shoulder joint. Developing consensus by an international group of experts will improve consistency in using outcome measures in patients with shoulder problems

Personal injury claims following whiplash injury currently cost the British economy more than £3 billion a year, yet only a minority of patients have radiologically demonstrable pathology. Patients sustaining fractures of the cervical spine have been subjected to greater force and might reasonably be expected to have worse symptoms than those with whiplash injuries. Using the Neck Disability Index, we compared pain and functional disability in four groups of patients who had suffered cervical spine injuries. The four groups were: patients with stable cervical fractures treated conservatively, patients with unstable cervical fractures treated by internal fixation, patients with whiplash injuries seeking compensation, and patients with whiplash injuries not involved in litigation. After a mean follow-up of 3½ years, patients who had sustained cervical spine fractures had significantly lower levels of pain and disability than those who suffered whiplash injuries and were pursuing compensation (p< 0.01), but had similar level to those whiplash sufferers who had settled litigation or had never sought compensation. Functional recovery following neck injury is unrelated to the physical insult. The increased morbidity in whiplash patients is likely to be psychological and is associated with litigation