Trajectories of social support are associated with health outcomes and depressive symptoms among older Taiwanese adults with diabetes following hip-fracture surgery.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined trajectories of social support and their relationships with health outcomes over 2 years post hip-fracture surgery for older adults with diabetes mellitus (DM). METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of data derived from a clinical trial, which included 158 hip fractured older adults with DM who had completed the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey at 1-, 12-, 18-, and 24-months following hospital discharge. Health outcomes for self-care, physical and nutritional status, mental health, and depression were assessed at 3-month intervals up to 24-months after hospital discharge. Trajectories of social support were derived with latent class analysis while hierarchical linear models were employed to assess the associations of social-support trajectory with health outcomes. RESULTS: Four social-support trajectories were derived for persons with DM following hip-fracture surgery: poor and declining (n = 18, 11.4%), moderate and stable (n = 29, 18.4%), high but declining (n = 34, 21.5%), and high and stable (n = 77, 48.7%). Relative to those in the poor and declining group, participants in the high and stable trajectory group performed better in Activities of Daily Living and quadriceps muscle power, had better mental Health-Related Quality of Life and nutritional status, and had fewer depressive symptoms. These differences persisted over the 2 years following hospital discharge. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest social support for persons with DM should be continually assessed following hip-fracture surgery.

Better nutrition trajectory improves recovery following a hip fracture surgery for older persons with diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Influences of nutritional status on hip fractured persons with diabetes mellitus (DM) following surgery have not been reported. AIMS: To explore the trajectory groups of nutritional status and their influences on post-operative recovery for older persons with hip fracture and DM. METHODS: A total of 169 patients with DM and hip fracture from a clinical trial were included in this analysis. Mini Nutritional Assessment was used to assess the nutritional status of the participants. Outcome variables included self-care ability, muscle strength, depressive symptoms, health related quality of life, and cognitive function, which were collected before discharge and 1-, 3-, 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24-months following hospital discharge. RESULTS: Among hip fractured older persons with DM, within two years following surgery there were three nutritional trajectory groups: malnourished (28.3%), at-risk of malnutrition (41.9%) and well-nourished (29.8%). A decline in nutritional status, especially for the malnourished group, was seen in the second year. A better nutritional trajectory was associated with better recovery outcomes, including self-care ability, health related quality of life, cognitive function and less depressive symptoms. DISCUSSION: Close to 30% of hip fractured persons with DM were considered to have a malnourished trajectory over 2 years following surgery. A poor nutritional trajectory was associated with poor mental health and physical recovery. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous nutrition assessment during the first 2 years following hip fracture surgery for older persons with DM is important. Development and implementation of interventions targeting the malnourished trajectory group are suggested.

Matta's criteria may be useful for evaluating and predicting the reduction quality of simultaneous acetabular and ipsilateral pelvic ring fractures.

BACKGROUND: Although the incidence, types, and radiological outcomes of simultaneous ipsilateral pelvic ring and acetabular fractures have been reported, there have been no reports on factors that may affect the quality of acetabular fracture reduction. Here, we evaluate the radiological outcomes of patients treated for simultaneous ipsilateral pelvic and acetabular fractures and analyze the factors that affect the quality of acetabular fracture reduction. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of patients treated for simultaneous ipsilateral pelvic ring and acetabular fractures between 2016 and 2020. Factors that may predict inadequate reduction of the acetabular fracture were analyzed. RESULTS: Data from 27 hips of 26 patients were collected. AO B2.2 and anterior columnar fractures were the most common types of pelvic ring and acetabular fractures, respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that Matta's criteria for pelvic ring fracture may be useful for predicting fair to poor quality of acetabular fracture reduction on X-rays. Furthermore, associated fractures identified by Letournel's classification system on computed tomography may be predictive of greater step-offs. CONCLUSIONS: Associated fractures identified via Letournel's classification may contribute to inadequate reduction of acetabular fractures. Matta's criteria for pelvic ring fractures may also be useful for predicting the risk of inadequate reduction of the acetabulum on X-ray scans. These findings may be assessed intraoperatively by fluoroscopy before beginning osteosynthesis for acetabular fractures.

Subjective memory complaints predict poorer functional recovery during the first year following hip-fracture surgery among elderly adults.

OBJECTIVES: Subjective memory complaints (SMCs) in the elderly are associated with poor recovery in performing activities of daily living. This study was designed to examine SMCs and their association with recovery and health outcomes of older persons within 1 year following hospital discharge after hip-fracture surgery. METHODS: Data were collected between 2012 and 2015 from 194 hip-fractured elders in northern Taiwan. SMCs were assessed by the Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire. Recovery outcomes included self-care ability (activities of daily living [ADLs] and instrumental activities of daily living [IADLs]), physical function (range of motion and maximal muscle strength), cognitive function, delirium, depressive symptoms, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Outcomes were assessed before discharge and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months afterwards. Associations of SMCs with participants' recovery outcomes were examined by the generalized estimating equation approach. RESULTS: Participants with SMCs had significantly poorer recovery outcomes than those without SMCs. Additionally, the interaction term for time-by-SMC was significant on ADLs, IADLs, maximal strength of quadriceps muscles, maximal strength of hip abductor muscles, ankle dorsiflexion, and HRQoL, suggesting that negative associations with SMCs increased over time. Participants with SMCs were at significantly higher risk for cognitive impairment and delirium than those without SMCs. CONCLUSIONS: Participants with SMCs not only had worse recovery than those without SMCs, but their rate of recovery was also slower during the first year following hip-fracture surgery. Therefore, SMCs need to be assessed to identify patients at high risk for worse recovery outcomes following hip fracture.

Resuming Normal Life as a Family Caregiver During Drip-Like Recovery of Older Persons With Cognitive Impairment Recovering From Hip Surgery: A Grounded Theory.

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to develop a theoretical framework explaining family caregiving processes for older persons with cognitive impairment recovering from hip fracture surgery. DESIGN AND METHODS: In this grounded theory study, data were collected in audio-recorded face-to-face interviews with 21 family caregivers. Among these caregivers, 14 cared for hip-fractured persons with cognitive impairment, and seven cared for those without cognitive impairment. Caregivers were interviewed five times after patients' discharge: at 1 week and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Data were analyzed by constant comparative analysis. FINDINGS: The core category explaining the family caregiving process for hip-fractured persons with cognitive impairment was "resuming normal life during drip-like recovery." This category captures the slowness of the recovery process, as slow as dripping water. During the early postoperative period, caregivers attempted to gain control of the postoperative situation, using various maintenance and improvement strategies to deal with the chaos in individuals and the family and to protect hip-fractured persons with cognitive impairment from further harm. The goal of recovery was to get back to their original life. CONCLUSIONS: Family caregivers of hip-fractured older persons with cognitive impairment needed to deal with more complex chaotic situations, exerted more efforts to administer safety measures, and required more time to achieve a stable life pattern. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Since postoperative recovery was perceived as extremely slow, family caregivers of hip-fractured older persons with cognitive impairment should be patient regarding recovery and be informed before hospital discharge of different strategies to resume normal life during postoperative recovery.

Adherence to Home-Based Rehabilitation in Older Adults With Diabetes After Hip Fracture.

BACKGROUND: Adherence to rehabilitation is beneficial to patients with hip fracture. However, the relationships between different levels of adherence and postoperative recovery among older adults after hip fracture have not been addressed thoroughly in the literature. OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to explore the trajectories of adherence to home-based rehabilitation during the 12-month period after hospital discharge and to examine the effects of adhering to prescribed home-based rehabilitation on postoperative recovery of physical functions. METHODS: We employed a secondary data analysis, and 88 hip-fractured older adults with diabetes were recruited. The Chinese Barthel Index was used to measure daily physical functions, a goniometer was used to measure range of motion, and the MicroFET2 dynamometer was used to measure muscle power. Adherence was measured as the rate of adherence to the suggested frequency of home-based rehabilitation activities. RESULTS: Adherence to home-based rehabilitation decreased over time. The high-adherence group was more likely to recover prefracture physical functions than was the low-adherence group, and the high-adherence group had better self-care abilities, greater range of motion for ankle extension, and higher muscular strength on both adduction and abduction than did the low-adherence group. DISCUSSION: The results of our study suggest that patients adhere to more than 50% of prescribed rehabilitation. Future studies should continue to explore interventions to enhance rehabilitation adherence after hospital discharge.

Retrograde dynamic locked intramedullary nailing for distal femoral aseptic nonunion associated with broken antegrade locked nail.

Techniques for treating distal femoral aseptic nonunions associated with antegrade locked nail breakage are controversial. Each technique has unique advantages and disadvantages. Retrograde dynamic locked nailing was used in such treatment. Twelve patients with the described disorders were treated with retrograde dynamic traditional femoral locked nails. The proximal segment of the broken nail was removed from the hip area with the patient in the lateral decubitus position. Consequently, the patient was changed to the supine position. The distal segment of the broken nail was removed from the intercondylar inlet and a dynamic locked nail was inserted in a retrograde fashion. Two staples were used for reinforcing rotational stability whenever necessary. Early ambulation with protected weight bearing was encouraged. All 12 patients with 12 nonunions were followed for an average of 2.9 years (range, 1.1-4.7 years). All nonunions healed with a union rate of 100%, and the average time to union was 4.2 months (range, 3.0-5.5 months). There were no complications of nonunions, malunions or deep infection. Satisfactory knee function among 12 patients improved from 42% pre-operatively to 100% at the latest follow-up (p = 0.002). All 12 patients could walk without aids. The described technique may be an excellent alternative for treating a distal femoral aseptic nonunion associated with antegrade locked nail breakage. The technique is not difficult and the union and satisfactory rates are high.

The relationship between preoperative American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classification scores and functional recovery following hip-fracture surgery.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the relationship of the American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classification scores (ASA scores) on patient outcomes following hip fracture surgery in Asian countries. Therefore, this study explored the association of patients' preoperative ASA scores on trajectories of recovery in physical functioning and health outcomes during the first year following postoperative discharge for older adults with hip-fracture surgery in Taiwan. METHODS: The data for this study was generated from three prior studies. Participants (N = 226) were older hip-fracture patients from an observational study (n = 86) and two clinical trials (n = 61 and n = 79). Participants were recruited from the trauma wards of one medical center in northern Taiwan and data was collected prior to discharge and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after hospital discharge. Participants were grouped as ASA class 1-2 (50.5%; ASA Class 1, n = 7; ASA Class 2, n = 107) and ASA class 3 (49.5%, n = 112). Measures for mortality, service utilization, activities of daily living (ADL), measured by the Chinese Barthel Index, and health related quality of life, measured by Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36, were assessed for the two groups. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to analyze the changes over time for the two groups. RESULTS: During the first year following hip-fracture surgery, ASA class 1-2 participants had significantly fewer rehospitalizations (6%, p = .02) and better scores for mental health (mean = 70.29, standard deviation = 19.03) at 6- and 12-months following discharge than those classified as ASA 3. In addition, recovery of walking ability (70%, p = .001) and general health (adjusted mean = 58.31, p = .003) was also significantly better than ASA 3 participants. CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant association of hip-fracture patients classified as ASA 1-2 with better recovery and service utilization during the first year following surgery. Interventions for hip fractured patients with high ASA scores should be developed to improve recovery and quality of life.

Predictors of postoperative falls in the first and second postoperative years among older hip fracture patients.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To explore risk factors for a single fall and multiple falls in the first and second postoperative years among older hip fracture patients. BACKGROUND: Older hip fracture patients have a high probability of falling again after a fall incident. Risk factors for postoperative falls among older hip fracture patients in Taiwan remain to be confirmed. DESIGN: Secondary analysis. METHODS: Data collected from control groups of two clinical trials conducted during 2001-2004 and during 2005-2009 were selected. Overall, 181 older adults who underwent hip fracture surgery were assessed at predischarge and postdischarge. Participant data were collected through home visits. RESULTS: Decline in unaffected limb quadriceps muscle endurance was a crucial predictor of a single fall in the first postoperative year for older hip fracture patients. Advanced age and more severe depressive symptoms were the crucial predictor for multiple falls. Engagement in activities of daily living was the crucial predictor for falls during the first to second postoperative years among older hip fracture patients. CONCLUSION: In Taiwan, postoperative falls that occur within 1-2 years of a hip fracture are associated with a high incidence of single and multiple falls in older people. The crucial predictors of falls in the first and second year after a hip fracture include unaffected limb quadriceps endurance, age, depression status and postdischarge activities of daily livings in older people. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The identified factors associated with subsequent falls within one and two years of a hip fracture should be incorporated into clinical strategies and taught in nursing courses. Early postoperative lower extremity muscular endurance rehabilitation must be provided. Furthermore, as part of the healthcare plan before hospital discharge, it must be ensured that the community where the older adults live has nutritional education, cognitive screening and psychological support.

Is clinical measurement of anatomic axis of the femur adequate?

Background and purpose - The accuracy of using clinical measurement from the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) to the center of the knee to determine an anatomic axis of the femur has rarely been studied. A radiographic technique with a full-length standing scanogram (FLSS) was used to assess the adequacy of the clinical measurement. Patients and methods - 100 consecutive young adult patients (mean age 34 (20-40) years) with chronic unilateral lower extremity injuries were studied. The pelvis and intact contralateral lower extremity images in the FLSS were selected for study. The angles between the tibial axis and the femoral shaft anatomic axis (S-AA), the piriformis anatomic axis (P-AA), the clinical anatomic axis (C-AA), and the mechanical axis (MA) were compared between sexes. Results - Only the S-AA and C-AA angles were statistically significantly different in the 100 patients (3.6° vs. 2.8°; p = 0.03). There was a strong correlation between S-AA, P-AA, and C-AA angles (r > 0.9). The average intersecting angle between MA and S-AA in the femur in the 100 patients was 5.5°, and it was 4.8° between MA and C-AA. Interpretation - Clinical measurement of an anatomic axis from the ASIS to the center of the knee may be an adequate and acceptable method to determine lower extremity alignment. The optimal inlet for antegrade femoral intramedullary nailing may be the lateral edge of the piriformis fossa.

Bilateral Early Knee Osteoarthritis Treated With Unilateral Proximal Tibial Osteotomy And Contralateral Non-Surgical Technique.

Some non-surgical techniques that decrease the mechanical load of the knee may be effective in treating early primary knee osteoarthritis. Thirtysix consecutive patients with bilateral early primary knee osteoarthritis and genu varum were treated with unilateral proximal tibial osteotomy in the more degenerated knee. After the osteotomized bone healed, ambulation with protected weight bearing using a cane in the contralateral hand was advised continuously for at least three months or until knee pain subsided bilaterally. Thirty-one patients were followed for an average of 4.6 years (range, 2.1-7.8 years). All osteotomized bones healed. Twenty patients (64.5%) had satisfactory knee function bilaterally. Eight patients (25.8%) only had satisfactory knee function in the operated knee. Thus, 28 patients (90.3%) improved operated knee function (p < 0.001). Non-operated knees improved to satisfactory function from 38.7% initially to 71.0% at the latest follow-up (p = 0.01). Bilateral early primary knee osteoarthritis may be successfully treated with unilateral proximal tibial osteotomy.

Comparison of supraintercondylar and supracondylar femur fractures treated with condylar buttress plates.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of supraintercondylar (AO/OTA 33-C) and supracondylar (AO/OTA 33-A) femur fractures is generally challenging. Standard treatments include open reduction and internal fixation. However, optimal implants are now being well-defined. This study focus on the comparison between clinical and functional outcomes of fractures treated with condylar buttress plates (CBPs). METHODS: We treated 87 patients with supraintercondylar or supracondylar femur fracture from 2004 to 2008, including 30 supraintercondylar and 24 supracondylar fractures treated with CBPs. Both knee and function scores (per Knee Society) were given to clinical and functional outcomes, and concomitant knee function was assessed per Mize criteria. RESULTS: Union rate of supraintercondylar fractures was 90 % (27/30) and supracondylar fractures was 91.7 % (22/24) (P = 0.68). In supraintercondylar group, 16.7 % revealed postoperative varus deformity, whereas none in supracondylar group (P = 0.045). Knee Society knee score was 73.6 in supraintercondylar group and 85.5 in supracondylar group (P = 0.009); and function score was 62.5 in supraintercondylar group and 83.1 in supracondylar group (P = 0.023). A satisfactory result based on modified Mize criteria was achieved in 50 % of supraintercondylar fractures and in 79.1 % of supracondylar fractures (P = 0.09). CONCLUSIONS: Use of CBPs for supraintercondylar and supracondylar femur fractures treatment led to a high union rate. However, a high rate of varus deformity occurred in patients with supraintercondylar but not supracondylar fractures. Moreover, CBP treatment in patients with supracondylar fractures led to better functional outcomes than those with supraintercondylar fractures.

Effects of interventions on trajectories of health-related quality of life among older patients with hip fracture: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has been used to assess subjects' prognosis and recovery following hip fracture. However, evidence is mixed regarding the effectiveness of interventions to improve HRQoL of elders with hip fracture. The purposes of this study were to identify distinct HRQoL trajectories and to evaluate the effects of two care models on these trajectories over 12 months following hip-fracture surgery. METHODS: For this secondary analysis, data came from a randomized controlled trial of subjects with hip fracture receiving three treatment care models: interdisciplinary care (n = 97), comprehensive care (n = 91), and usual care (n = 93). Interdisciplinary care consisted of geriatric consultation, discharge planning, and 4 months of in-home rehabilitation. Comprehensive care consisted of interdisciplinary care plus management of malnutrition and depressive symptoms, fall prevention, and 12 months of in-home rehabilitation. Usual care included only in-hospital rehabilitation and occasional discharge planning, without geriatric consultation and in-home rehabilitation. Mental and physical HRQoL were measured at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after discharge by the physical component summary scale (PCS) and mental component summary scale (MCS), respectively, of the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36, Taiwan version. Latent class growth modeling was used to identify PCS and MCS trajectories and to evaluate how they were affected by the interdisciplinary and comprehensive care models. RESULTS: We identified three quadratic PCS trajectories: poor PCS (n = 103, 36.6 %), moderate PCS (n = 96, 34.2 %), and good PCS (n = 82, 29.2 %). In contrast, we found three linear MCS trajectories: poor MCS (n = 39, 13.9 %), moderate MCS (n = 84, 29.9 %), and good MCS (n = 158, 56.2 %). Subjects in the comprehensive care and interdisciplinary care groups were more likely to experience a good PCS trajectory (b = 0.99, odds ratio [OR] = 2.69, confidence interval [CI] = 7.24-1.00, p = 0.049, and b = 1.32, OR = 3.75, CI = 10.53-1.33, p = 0.012, respectively) than those who received usual care. However, neither care model improved MCS. CONCLUSIONS: The interdisciplinary and comprehensive care models improved recovery from hip fracture by increasing subjects' odds for following a trajectory of good physical functioning after hospitalization. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov ( NCT01350557 ).

The impact of sleep duration on recovery post-hip fracture among older diabetic adults in Taiwan.

This study explored postoperative changes in sleep duration and physical activity and their relationships with physical function recovery, the muscular strength of the affected side and blood glucose control in elderly adults (n = 41) with diabetes mellitus (DM) who underwent surgery for hip fracture. Thirty-two participants (78.0%) had abnormal sleep durations for at least two time points, and they all had low physical activity levels (an average of 1348.2 kcal/day for the first month, 1377.9 kcal/day for the third month, and 1389.1 kcal/day for the sixth month) during the six months post-hip fracture. The participants with normal sleep durations showed greater femoral muscle improvement on the affected side (adduction: ß = 3.70, p = 0.029; abduction: ß = 7.25, p = 0.016) and better blood glucose control before meals (ß = -73.29, p < 0.001) and after meals (ß = -47.90, p = 0.007) compared with those with abnormal sleep durations. Those with higher physical activity levels had better physical function recovery.

Retrograde dynamic locked intramedullary nailing for aseptic supracondylar femoral nonunion after dynamic condylar screw treatment.

OBJECTIVE: Supracondylar femoral nonunions after dynamic condylar screw (DCS) treatment are uncommon, and few studies have addressed an optimal treatment technique for this disorder. Re-insertion of a new plate may not be secure because of bony defects in the distal fragment, created by the lag screw of the DCS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-two consecutive adult patients with 42 supracondylar femoral nonunions were treated with removal of the DCS, re-alignment of the knee axis, and insertion of a retrograde dynamic traditional femoral locked nail. When necessary, a humeral plate was augmented to reinforce rotational stability. RESULTS: A final group of 36 patients with 36 nonunions were followed for an average of 2.8 years (range 1.1-6.2 years). All nonunions healed with a union rate of 100 %, and the average time to union was 4.2 months (range 2.5-5.5 months). Complications included two malunions. There were no instances of nonunion or deep infection. Satisfactory knee function among 36 patients improved from 8.2 % preoperatively to 86.1 % at the last follow-up (p < 0.001). All 36 patients could walk without aids. CONCLUSION: The described technique may be an excellent alternative treatment for an aseptic supracondylar femoral nonunion after DCS treatment. The technique is not difficult, and the union rate and satisfactory rate are high.

Anterior transfer of tibialis posterior tendon for treating drop foot: Technique of enforcing tendon implantation to improve success rate.

UNLABELLED: An absolutely convincing technique of anterior transfer of the tibialis posterior (TP) tendon for treating drop foot has not been developed. Thirty-seven consecutive adult patients with drop foot owing to deep peroneal nerve injury were treated with bone-to-bone TP tendon transfer. The TP tendon with a small bony attachment was procured from the undersurface of the navicula and then transferred through a tunnel of the interosseous membrane. The navicular attachment was implanted in the tunnel of the navicula or intermediate cuneiform. Cancellous bone graft procured from the distal tibial metaphysis was packed into the tunnel inlet. Side-to-side tendon suturing was performed between the TP tendon and tibialis anterior tendon. Thirty-one patients were followed for a mean of 2.8 years (range, 1.2-4.8 years), and all achieved satisfactory outcome for the ankle. All patients achieved a normal gait after one year and at the latest follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The described technique may provide a high success rate. This surgical technique is not complex, and complications are few.

Integrating various common indexes of bony alignment in femoral supracondyle.

OBJECTIVE: Indexes, which can optimally represent the bony alignment around the knee, are still controversial. Three common indexes, mechanical axis (MA), anatomic axis (AA), and anatomic lateral distal femoral angle (aLDFA), were integrated to simplify patient follow-up in the femoral supracondylar region. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty consecutive adult patients (40 men, 40 women; age range 19-40 years) were studied using a full-length standing scanogram. Thirteen indexes, including MA, AA, and aLDFA, were measured and integrated. The relationships among these indexes were analyzed. RESULTS: The MA of the lower extremity passed with an average of 6.6 mm (9.2% of the tibial articular surface width) medial to the knee center. The supracondylar axis (SA) was an average of 2.0° more valgus than the AA in the femoral supracondyle. An average 1.1° deviation was noted in the AA, as measured by the femoral shaft axis or a line connecting the piriformis fossa to the knee center. CONCLUSION: The femoral MA may be more favorable than the MA of the lower extremity in order to represent an ideal weight-bearing line. The AA and aLDFA may be measurable via the SA in the anteroposterior view of the plain knee radiograph. Thus, patient follow-up becomes much more convenient.

Radiological Verification for the Suitability of Using the Quadriceps Angle to Represent Orientation of the Quadriceps Femoris.

OBJECTIVES: The orientation of the quadriceps femoris can be represented by the quadriceps angle (Q-angle) has not yet been approved because of the high incidence of patellar instability. In this study, the correlations among components of the quadriceps femoris and the Q-angle using the plain radiographic technique were assessed. This retrospective study aims to use the radiographic technique to clarify these doubts from anatomic viewpoints. METHODS: One hundred consecutive young adult patients (50 men and 50 women; aged, 34 ± 5 and 33 ± 6 years, respectively) who sustained chronic unilateral lower extremity injuries (unilateral femoral, tibial nonunions or malunions) were enrolled. The contralateral intact lower extremity was used for the study. The full-length standing scanogram (FLSS) was used to evaluate the rectus Q-angle (R-Q angle), vastus Q-angle (V-Q angle), and clinical Q-angle (C-Q angle; i.e., known as the Q-angle). The three Q-angles were compared statistically. The Mann-Whitney U test and the Kruskal-Wallis test were used for comparison among groups. The Spearman rank correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the degree of relationship between two groups. RESULTS: The C-Q angle or the V-Q angle was statistically different from the R-Q angle (p < 0.001). The C-Q angle between sexes was not different (p = 0.25). High correlation occurred among the C-Q angle, the R-Q angle, and the V-Q angles (correlation coefficient, 0.886-0.979). The multiple linear regression revealed of C-Q angle = 0.72; R-Q angle, p < 0.001 + 0.21; and V-Q angle, (p = 0.009) + 2.61° in 100 patients. CONCLUSION: Orientation of the quadriceps femoris can be represented by the Q-angle. Compared to the rectus femoris, the three vastus muscles of the quadriceps femoris are more correlated to the Q-angle.

Influences of Cognitive Function and Depressive Symptoms on Pain Trajectories During the First Year Following Hip Fracture Surgery: A Prospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVES: The purposes of this study were to explore trajectories for patterns of postoperative pain intensity during the first year following hip fracture surgery and the relationships between pain trajectory groups, cognitive impairment, and depressive symptoms. DESIGN: A prospective cohort correlational study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A total of 325 patients aged 60 years or older who had received hip fracture surgery at a 3000-bed medical center in northern Taiwan from September 2012 to March 2020. METHODS: Data were collected before hospital discharge and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postdischarge. Pain intensity was measured using a numeric rating scale; cognitive function was measured with the Taiwan version of the Mini-Mental State Examination; and depressive symptoms were measured by the Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form. Patients with similar postoperative pain trajectories were categorized into groups and compared with group-based trajectory modeling. Cognitive impairment and depressive symptoms associated with each group were identified by logistic regression. RESULTS: Three different pain trajectory groups were identified: drastic decline-minimum pain (47.7%), gentle decline-mild pain (45.5%), and slight decline-moderate pain (6.8%). Patients with cognitive impairment [odds ratio (OR) 11.01, 95% CI 2.99-10.51] and at risk for depression (OR 49.09, 95% CI 10.46-230.30) were more likely to be in the moderate pain group than the minimum pain group. Patients with cognitive impairment (OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.25-3.42) were more likely to be in the mild pain group than the minimum pain group. Patients at risk for depression (OR 9.68, 95% CI 3.16-29.63) were more likely to be in the moderate pain group than the mild pain group. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Identifying postoperative pain trajectories can provide insight into the most appropriate pain management for older persons following hip fracture surgery. Attention should focus on assessments for cognitive impairment and risk of depression to prevent persistent postoperative pain. Future studies of older patients with clinically diagnosed cognitive impairment and depression are suggested.

Interdisciplinary intervention decreases cognitive impairment for older Taiwanese with hip fracture: 2-year follow-up.

OBJECTIVES: Few studies describe the trajectories of cognitive function for hip-fracture patients following hospital discharge and the treatment effects of interdisciplinary intervention on cognitive outcomes. The purpose of this study was to explore the 2-year postoperative trajectory for cognitive function of older hip-fracture patients and cognitive effects of an interdisciplinary intervention. METHODS: Of 160 subjects randomly assigned to groups, 29 (35.8%) in the control group (n = 81) and 30 (38.0%) in the intervention group (n = 79) were cognitively impaired at admission. The intervention group received geriatric consultation, continuous rehabilitation, and discharge planning. Subjects' cognitive function was measured using the mini mental state examination Taiwan version at admission, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after discharge and analyzed using hierarchical generalized linear models. RESULTS: Patients who received the intervention program had 75% less likelihood of being cognitively impaired 6 months following discharge than those who received routine care (odds ratio = 0.25, p < 0.001). The difference between the control and intervention groups was small at admission, peaked at 18 months, and decreased from 18 to 24 months following discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Our interdisciplinary intervention improved the long-term postoperative cognitive functioning of older persons with hip fracture in Taiwan.