Optimizing the Maastricht Work-Related Support intervention in clinical patient care: the value of integrating action research into intervention mapping.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare professionals (HCPs) are increasingly recommended to play an important role in supporting people with chronic disease in work participation. An intervention for HCPs to provide work-related support to their patients in clinical care was developed with intervention mapping (Maastricht Work-Related Support; Maastricht WRS). Action research proposes 'combining research and practice', which allows us to incorporate experiences of HCPs while implementing and to realize intervention's full potential. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore, by integrating action research into an intervention mapping approach, how experiences of HCPs with early implementation can be used to optimize the Maastricht WRS in clinical care. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were held with nine HCPs (response rate 82%), involved in care for people with inflammatory arthritis, knee problems or inflammatory bowel disease. Some of them were not yet trained in the Maastricht WRS while others had received the training and were providing the Maastricht WRS. RESULTS: All participants regarded WRS an important part of clinical care. Untrained HCPs indicated a lack of knowledge and skills in providing the Maastricht WRS, and a need for tools. Trained HCPs were satisfied with the training and tools, but stressed that practical limitations hindered providing the Maastricht WRS. Action research showed that the intervention meets the needs of HCPs, but need some optimizations: (1) organizing 'intervision' for HCPs, (2) inform and activate patients to discuss work with their HCP, (3) update initial tools and (4) including patients' work status in the electronic patient system. CONCLUSIONS: Action research integrated into intervention mapping proved to improve the Maastricht WRS intervention. By involving HCPs, the intervention could be optimized to provide to support people with chronic diseases in clinical care in healthy and sustainable work participation.

A Mixed-Methods Process Evaluation of the Maastricht Work-Related Support Intervention for Healthcare Professionals in Clinical Care.

PURPOSE: To perform the process evaluation of an intervention that aims to facilitate clinical healthcare professionals (HCP) to provide Maastricht Work-Related Support (WRS) to working patients with a chronic disease. METHODS: A mixed-methods approach was applied to address reach, efficacy, adoption, implementation, and maintenance (RE-AIM framework) as well as context of the Maastricht WRS intervention. Qualitative data included interviews with HCPs (N = 10), patients at two time points (N = 10 and N = 9), and field notes. Quantitative data included screening logbooks of HCPs, patient screening forms, and a questionnaire for patients. Content analysis or computation of frequencies was applied where applicable. RESULTS: Twenty-eight HCPs participated in the intervention (reach). They had a low attitude toward providing Maastricht WRS themselves (adoption). During clinical consultations, they addressed work for 770 of 1,624 (47%) persons of working age. Only 57% (437/770) had paid work, of which 10% (44/437) acknowledged a current need for support. Discussing work during clinical consultations by HCPs was hindered by other medical priorities and patients not disclosing problems (implementation). Over time, Maastricht WRS was less consistently provided (maintenance). Patients reported a positive impact of the intervention, such as fitness for work (efficacy). Context (e.g., lack of urgency, priority, time, and management support) played a pivotal role in the implementation. CONCLUSION: This evaluation showed that HCPs had a positive attitude toward WRS in general, but their attitude toward provide Maastricht WRS themselves in daily clinical care was low. Recommendations include improving HCPs' attitude, addressing WRS as a key policy point, and facilitating time.

Protocol for a multicenter study on effectiveness and economics of the Back At work After Surgery (BAAS): a clinical pathway for knee arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Optimizing return to work (RTW) after knee arthroplasty (KA) is becoming increasingly important due to a growing incidence of KA and poor RTW outcomes after KA. We developed the Back At work After Surgery (BAAS) clinical pathway for optimized RTW after KA. Since the effectiveness and cost analysis of the BAAS clinical pathway are still unknown, analysis on effectiveness and costs of BAAS is imperative. METHOD: This protocol paper has been written in line with the standards of Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trails. To assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness for RTW, we will perform a multicenter prospective cohort study with patients who decided to receive a total KA (TKA) or an unicompartmental KA (UKA). To evaluate the effectiveness of BAAS regarding RTW, a comparison to usual care will be made using individual patient data on RTW from prospectively performed cohort studies in the Netherlands. DISCUSSION: One of the strengths of this study is that the feasibility for the BAAS clinical pathway was tested at first hand. Also, we will use validated questionnaires and functional tests to assess the patient's recovery using robust outcomes. Moreover, the intervention was performed in two hospitals serving the targeted patient group and to reduce selection bias and improve generalizability. The limitations of this study protocol are that the lead author has an active role as a medical case manager (MCM) in one of the hospitals. Additionally, we will use the data from other prospective Dutch cohort studies to compare our findings regarding RTW to usual care. Since we will not perform an RCT, we will use propensity analysis to reduce the bias due to possible differences between these cohorts. TRAIL REGISTRATION: This study was retrospectively registered at clinicaltrails.gov ( https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05690347 , date of first registration: 19-01-2023).

Smartphone App with an Accelerometer Enhances Patients' Physical Activity Following Elective Orthopedic Surgery: A Pilot Study.

Low physical activity (PA) levels are common in hospitalized patients. Digital health tools could be valuable in preventing the negative effects of inactivity. We therefore developed Hospital Fit; which is a smartphone application with an accelerometer, designed for hospitalized patients. It enables objective activity monitoring and provides patients with insights into their recovery progress and offers a tailored exercise program. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of Hospital Fit to enhance PA levels and functional recovery following orthopedic surgery. PA was measured with an accelerometer postoperatively until discharge. The control group received standard physiotherapy, while the intervention group used Hospital Fit in addition to physiotherapy. The time spent active and functional recovery (modified Iowa Level of Assistance Scale) on postoperative day one (POD1) were measured. Ninety-seven patients undergoing total knee or hip arthroplasty were recruited. Hospital Fit use, corrected for age, resulted in patients standing and walking on POD1 for an average increase of 28.43 min (95% confidence interval (CI): 5.55-51.32). The odds of achieving functional recovery on POD1, corrected for the American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, were 3.08 times higher (95% CI: 1.14-8.31) with Hospital Fit use. A smartphone app combined with an accelerometer demonstrates the potential to enhance patients' PA levels and functional recovery during hospitalization.

Non-surgical treatment before hip and knee arthroplasty remains underutilized with low satisfaction regarding performance of work, sports, and leisure activities.

Background and purpose - Guidelines for managing hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA) advise extensive non-surgical treatment prior to surgery. We evaluated what percentage of hip and knee OA patients received non-surgical treatment prior to arthroplasty, and assessed patient satisfaction regarding alleviation of symptoms and performance of activities. Patients and methods - A multi-center cross-sectional study was performed in 2018 among 186 patients who were listed for hip or knee arthroplasty or had undergone surgery within the previous 6 months in the Netherlands. Questions concerned non-surgical treatments received according to the Stepped Care Strategy and were compared with utilization in 2013. Additionally, satisfaction with treatment effects for pain, swelling, stiffness, and activities of daily life, work, and sports/leisure was questioned. Results - The questionnaire was completed by 175 patients, age 66 years (range 38-84), 57% female, BMI 29 (IQR 25-33). Step 1 treatments, such as acetaminophen and lifestyle advice, were received by 79% and 60% of patients. Step 2 treatments, like exercise-based therapy and diet therapy, were received by 66% and 19%. Step 3-intra-articular injection-was received by 47%. Non-surgical treatment utilization was lower than in 2013. Nearly all treatments showed more satisfied patients regarding pain relief and fewer regarding activities of work/sports/leisure. Hip and knee OA patients were mostly satisfied with NSAIDs for all outcomes, while exercise-based therapy was rated second best. Interpretation - Despite international guideline recommendations, non-surgical treatment for hip and knee OA remains underutilized in the Netherlands. Of the patients referred for arthroplasty, more were satisfied with the effect of non-surgical treatment on pain than on work/sports/leisure participation.

Femoral Head Size is Correlated With Head Position in Very Elderly Patients.

BACKGROUND: In cases of femoral neck fracture, it is often not possible to accurately determine the original position of the head center to assess appropriate restoration of leg length. The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of predicting the position of the femoral head center based on new and established correlations between the femoral head diameter (FHD) and the distance between the lesser trochanter and the femoral head center (LT-FHC) in the very elderly (aged ≥80 years) as the mainly affected but yet underinvestigated group. METHODS: The FHD and the LT-FHC distance were determined in 148 subjects (104 males, 44 females); 90 aged ≥80 years and 58 aged <80 years. For each age and gender subgroup one specific (LT-FHC)/FHD ratio was determined. The accuracy of the new determined ratios and the established ratios by others were compared by recalculating the LT-FHC distance of each individual subject. RESULTS: The FHD and the LT-FHC were significantly correlated, most strongly in elderly females (R = 0.554, P < .001). Using the new age- and gender-specific ratios, the LT-FHC distance could be predicted within 10 mm of the true value in 95% of the cases and in only 77% using previously reported formulas. CONCLUSION: Age- and gender-specific formulas yield higher accuracy than generic formulas. The formulas presented in this study can offer a practical, easy to use instrument for orthopedic surgeons performing hip arthroplasty in very elderly patients in addition to classic techniques to prevent significant leg-length discrepancy.

The Femoral Head Center Shifts in a Mediocaudal Direction During Aging.

BACKGROUND: Accurate reconstruction of hip joint biomechanics is the key stone in total hip arthroplasty. Although proximal femur morphology is known to vary with both age and gender, few studies investigated this in the very elderly (ie, ≥80 years). The purpose of this study was to compare basic morphological parameters describing the position of the femoral head between very elderly and middle-aged subjects. METHODS: Computed tomographic scans of the femur of 90 very elderly (mean 84 years, range 80-105 years) and 58 middle-aged subjects (mean 52 years, range 20-79 years) were made. After 3-dimensional reconstruction, the neck-shaft angle, femoral neck anteversion angle, femoral head height, femoral neck length, and mediolateral offset (ML-offset) were determined. RESULTS: The neck-shaft angle was on average 3.6° less in elderly males (125.9° ± 5.0°) than in middle-aged males (129.5° ± 5.1°) (P < .001). The femoral neck anteversion angle was not significantly different between both age and gender groups. The femoral head height was -12.3 mm in elderly females compared to -10.5 mm (Δ 17%) in elderly males (P = .284) and even -8.0 mm (Δ 54%) in middle-aged males. The ML-offset was 10% (4.1 mm) larger in elderly compared to middle-aged males (P < .001). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the femoral neck and head shift in a relative varus position during aging. Femoral prostheses with increased ML-offset and a lower caput-collum-diaphyseal angle are needed to accommodate the morphology of the femur in the very elderly. Care must be taken not to lengthen the operated leg, particularly in very elderly females.

The Morphology of the Proximal Femoral Canal Continues to Change in the Very Elderly: Implications for Total Hip Arthroplasty.

A shape mismatch between cementless stems and the femoral canal of very elderly patients could partly explain the inferior performance of cementless compared to cemented stems in this age group. Influences of age and gender on canal morphology were investigated by measuring coronal/sagittal dimensions on CT-scans of subjects ≥80 years old (n = 117) and subjects < 80 years old (n = 51). Absolute canal dimensions like width were larger in octogenarians than in younger subjects. These differences were larger in the sagittal plane than in the coronal plane (P < 0.001). Canal flaring changed asymmetrically with increased medial and less lateral flaring in octogenarians. Age-related changes were mainly observed in females and should be taken into consideration for implant design, selection and implantation in octogenarians.

Strong correlation between the morphology of the proximal femur and the geometry of the distal femoral trochlea.

PURPOSE: Previous investigations suggested that the geometry of the proximal femur may be related to osteoarthritis of the tibiofemoral joint and various patellofemoral joint conditions. This study aims to investigate the correlation between proximal and distal femoral geometry. Such a correlation could aid our understanding of patient complications after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and be of benefit for further development of kinematic approaches in TKA. METHODS: CT scans of 60 subjects (30 males, 30 females) were used to identify anatomical landmarks to calculate anatomical parameters of the femur, including the femoral neck anteversion angle, neck-shaft angle (NSA), mediolateral offset (ML-offset), condylar twist angle (CTA), trochlear sulcus angle (TSA) and medial/lateral trochlear inclination angles (MTIA/LTIA). Correlation analyses were carried out to assess the relationship between these parameters, and the effect of gender was investigated. RESULTS: The CTA, TSA and LTIA showed no correlation with any proximal parameter. The MTIA was correlated with all three proximal parameters, mostly with the NSA and ML-offset. Per 5° increase in NSA, the MTIA was 2.1° lower (p < 0.01), and for every 5 mm increase in ML-offset, there was a 2.6° increase in MTIA (p < 0.01). These results were strongest and statistically significant in females and not in males and were independent of length and weight. CONCLUSIONS: Proximal femoral geometry is distinctively linked with trochlear morphology. In order to improve knowledge on the physiological kinematics of the knee joint and to improve the concept of kinematic knee replacement, the proximal femur seems to be a factor of clinical importance. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Near-Optimal Recovery Within 3 Months: Investigating Health-Related Quality of Life and Functional Outcomes After Single-Stage Bilateral Hip Replacement for Osteoarthritis.

Single-stage bilateral hip replacement (SSBHR) is a safe and successful orthopaedic intervention for patients suffering from bilateral osteoarthritis of the hip. Data on short- and mid-term recovery outcome studies are, unfortunately, scarce. The purpose of this study was to investigate the change in the functional measures and quality of life after SSBHR and to determine the patient's willingness to undergo the same procedure again. Data were prospectively collected and analyzed from patients with bilateral symptomatic hip osteoarthritis who underwent SSBHR from January 2019 until December 2020. Patients were excluded only if they failed to sign an informed consent or were unable to fill out questionnaires due to language or cognitive problems. Preoperatively and 3 and 12 months after surgery, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and physical functioning were measured. Twelve months after surgery, patient satisfaction (willingness to undergo the same procedure again) was obtained. Complications, blood loss, and length of stay (LOS) were abstracted from the clinical notes and the electronic patient files. Patients improved significantly on all domains of HRQOL (16.0%-59.7%) and physical functioning (14.7%-15.8%) 3 months after surgery in comparison with preoperatively. No improvement was reported on HRQOL and physical functioning, except the Timed Up and Go score (14.1%), at 12 months after surgery in comparison with 3 months. No major or minor complications were found, and LOS was 2.9 days on average. One year after the surgery, all patients expressed satisfaction as suggested by their willingness to undergo the same surgical procedure again. Our study demonstrates that SSBHR offers a rapid recovery time and significant improvements in both functional status and HRQOL within 3 months after surgery. These findings can inform healthcare professionals and patients, suggesting that SSBHR is a viable treatment option for patients with bilateral hip osteoarthritis. Further research, including multicenter randomized controlled trials, is recommended to compare the recovery outcomes of SSBHR with two-stage bilateral hip replacement and confirm our findings.

Time Effect on Acute Postoperative Pain After Total Knee Replacement Surgery: An Exploratory Study Using the Experience Sampling Method.

OBJECTIVES: Acute postoperative pain (APP) is the main cause of postoperative dissatisfaction; however, traditional methods of pain assessment provide limited insights into the dynamics and development of APP. This study used the experience sampling method to understand the dynamics of APP over time in relation to various patient factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients scheduled to undergo total knee replacement surgery were recruited in this study. Following an initial assessment, a short report questionnaire was sent to the patients through 10 digital alerts per day to assess the pain levels during 2 preoperative and the first 6 postoperative days. The data were analyzed using multilevel regression, including random intercept and slope. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients submitted the prespecified minimum of 30% of their short reports, yielding 1217 records. The analysis revealed significant ( P <0.001) linear and quadratic decreases in APP and a quadratic time effect. The lowest between-day and within-day pain levels were observed on postoperative day 4.8 and during the time slot 3.8 or ~19:15, respectively. Significant random intercepts and slopes were noted, indicating variations in the mean pain level between patients and a decrease in pain. None of the 10 patient factors had any confounding effect. DISCUSSION: Using the experience sampling method data combined with multilevel analysis, we were able to evaluate the postoperative pain course while considering inter-individual differences in the baseline pain level and nonlinear pain course over time. The findings of this study could aid clinicians in personalizing the treatment for APP.

[Network medicine for people with movement complaints in the Netherlands: the Beweeghuis and other orthopaedic initiatives]. / Netwerkgeneeskunde voor mensen met beweegklachten.

The prevalence of disorders related to the movement apparatus such as osteoarthritis and neck/back complaints is increasing, thereby compromising the accessibility and affordability of movement care. Besides, these complaints cause high burden of disease, high sick leave and decreased self-sustainability. These developments demand an integral multidisciplinary and line transcending approach. Within the field of movement care several initiatives are already developed such as the Beweeghuis Network, Network Osteoarthritis, One-and-a-half line outpatient clinic Zuyderland. If healthcare evaluation of these initiatives show positive effects, these examples of network medicine can give answer and substance to the challenges and assignments discussed in the Integral Care Act. An important condition for upscaling on a national level is a new funding model in which prevention of care is being rewarded as well.

Age-Associated Changes in Proximal Femur Morphology Affect Femoral Component Sizing in Cementless Hip Arthroplasty.

Background: In cementless hip arthroplasty, the femoral component should obtain firm fixation within the endosteal bone and achieve adequate reconstruction of hip joint biomechanics simultaneously. Previous anatomical studies described age-related changes of the proximal femoral canal, such as canal widening, which theoretically necessitates the use of larger stem sizes in elderly patients. This study examines a potential association between patients' age at surgery and the implant size of a cementless femoral component. Material and methods: A total of 13,423 primary hip arthroplasties with a single cementless stem registered in the Dutch Arthroplasty Register (LROI) were included. Patient characteristics (ie patients' age, sex, height and weight at time of surgery) and femoral component size were derived. A one-way ANCOVA was used to compare the mean stem size between age groups, and multivariable linear regression analysis was used in order to investigate to which extent ageing impacted stem size. Results: Each subsequent age- group (ten-year intervals) had a significantly larger mean stem size than the prior age- group. Multivariable linear regression analysis revealed that age is positively correlated with stem size and that this correlation is more prominent in females than in males (beta = .046, P < .001 and beta = .028, P < .001 respectively). Interpretation: Implant size is positively correlated with age, in particular in females and independently from investigated anthropometric characteristics. The present study endorses that the femoral canal morphology is related to patients' characteristics such as age and sex. The morphology will subsequently influence implant sizing and therefore may have biomechanical and clinical implications.

Implementation of back at work after surgery (BAAS): A feasibility study of an integrated pathway for improved return to work after knee arthroplasty.

PURPOSE: Optimizing return to work after knee arthroplasty is becoming more important because of the growing incidence of KA among workers and poor return to work outcomes. The purpose of this study is to investigate the feasibility of Back At work After Surgery (BAAS): an integrated clinical pathway for return to work after knee arthroplasty. METHOD: Working patients who received unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) between January 2021 and November 2021, younger than 65 years and motivated to return to work were eligible to participate. Feasibility was investigated on five domains: reach, dose delivered, dose received, fidelity and patients' attitudes. These outcomes were obtained by a patient-reported questionnaire and an interview with the occupational case manager and medical case manager. RESULTS: Of the eligible 29 patients, eleven were willing to participate (response rate 38%; due to travel distance to and from the hospital). The dose delivered was between 91 and 100%, except information given about return to work from the orthopedic surgeon which was 18%. The dose received was 100%. For fidelity, case managers reported nine shortcomings for which five solutions were mentioned. In terms of patients' attitude, all patients were satisfied and one patient mentioned an improvement. CONCLUSIONS: In terms of reach, participation was low: only 29%. The BAAS clinical pathway seems feasible based on dose delivered, dose received, fidelity and patient attitudes. The next step is to assess the effectiveness of the BAAS clinical pathway for return to work.

A Systematic Review of Focal Cartilage Defect Treatments in Middle-Aged Versus Younger Patients.

BACKGROUND: Focal cartilage defects are often debilitating, possess limited potential for regeneration, are associated with increased risk of osteoarthritis, and are predictive for total knee arthroplasty. Cartilage repair studies typically focus on the outcome in younger patients, but a high proportion of treated patients are 40 to 60 years of age (ie, middle-aged). The reality of current clinical practice is that the ideal patient for cartilage repair is not the typical patient. Specific attention to cartilage repair outcomes in middle-aged patients is warranted. PURPOSE: To systematically review available literature on knee cartilage repair in middle-aged patients and include studies comparing results across different age groups. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: A systematic search was performed in EMBASE, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Library database. Articles were screened for relevance and appraised for quality. RESULTS: A total of 21 articles (mean Coleman Methodology Score, 64 points) were included. Two out of 3 bone marrow stimulation (BMS) studies, including 1 using the microfracture technique, revealed inferior clinical outcomes in middle-aged patients in comparison with younger patients. Nine cell-based studies were included showing inconsistent comparisons of results across age groups for autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI). Bone marrow aspirate concentrate showed age-independent results at up to 8 years of follow-up. A negative effect of middle age was reported in 1 study for both ACI and BMS. Four out of 5 studies on bone-based resurfacing therapies (allografting and focal knee resurfacing implants [FKRIs]) showed age-independent results up to 5 years. One study in only middle-aged patients reported better clinical outcomes for FKRIs when compared with biological repairs. CONCLUSION: Included studies were heterogeneous and had low methodological quality. BMS in middle-aged patients seems to only result in short-term improvements. More research is warranted to elucidate the ameliorating effects of cell-based therapies on the aging joint homeostasis. Bone-based therapies seem to be relatively insensitive to aging and may potentially result in effective joint preservation. Age subanalyses in cohort studies, randomized clinical trials, and international registries should generate more evidence for the large but underrepresented (in terms of cartilage repair) middle-aged population in the literature.

Twenty-Two-Year Outcome of Cartilage Repair Surgery by Perichondrium Transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: The main purpose of the present study was to assess the risk for major revision surgery after perichondrium transplantation (PT) at a minimum of 22 years postoperatively and to evaluate the influence of patient characteristics. DESIGN: Primary outcome was treatment success or failure. Failure of PT was defined as revision surgery in which the transplant was removed, such as (unicondylar) knee arthroplasty or patellectomy. The functioning of nonfailed patients was evaluated using the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score. In addition, the influence of patient characteristics was evaluated. RESULTS: Ninety knees in 88 patients, aged 16 to 55 years with symptomatic cartilage defects, were treated by PT. Eighty knees in 78 patients were eligible for analysis and 10 patients were lost to follow-up. Twenty-eight knees in 26 patients had undergone major revision surgery. Previous surgery and a longer time of symptoms prior to PT were significantly associated with an increased risk for failure of cartilage repair. Functioning of the remaining 52 patients and influence of patient characteristics was analyzed using their IKDC score. Their median IKDC score was 39.08, but a relatively young age at transplantation was associated with a higher IKDC score. CONCLUSIONS: This 22-year follow-up study of PT, with objective outcome parameters next to patient-reported outcome measurements in a unique group of patients, shows that overall 66% was without major revision surgery and patient characteristics also influence long-term outcome of cartilage repair surgery.

Knee Joint Distraction as Treatment for Osteoarthritis Results in Clinical and Structural Benefit: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Limited Number of Studies and Patients Available.

OBJECTIVE: Knee joint distraction (KJD) is a joint-preserving osteoarthritis treatment that may postpone a total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in younger patients. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates short- and long-term clinical benefit and tissue structure changes after KJD. DESIGN: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science were searched for eligible clinical studies evaluating at least one of the primary parameters: WOMAC, VAS-pain, KOOS, EQ5D, radiographic joint space width or MRI cartilage thickness after KJD. Random effects models were applied on all outcome parameters and outcomes were compared with control groups found in the included studies. RESULTS: Eleven articles reporting on 7 different KJD cohorts with in total 127 patients and 5 control groups with multiple follow-up moments were included, of which 2 were randomized controlled trials. Significant improvements in all primary parameters were found and benefit lasted up to at least 9 years. Overall, outcomes were comparable with control groups, including high tibial osteotomy, although TKA showed better clinical response. CONCLUSIONS: Current, still limited, evidence shows KJD causes clear benefit in clinical and structural parameters, both short- and long-term. Longer follow-up with more patients is necessary, to validate outcome and to potentially improve patient selection for this intensive treatment. Thus far, for younger knee osteoarthritis patients, KJD may be an option to consider.

Referral decisions and its predictors related to orthopaedic care. A retrospective study in a novel primary care setting.

Due to the ageing population, the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders will continue to rise, as well as healthcare expenditure. To overcome these increasing expenditures, integration of orthopaedic care should be stimulated. The Primary Care Plus (PC+) intervention aimed to achieve this by facilitating collaboration between primary care and the hospital, in which specialised medical care is shifted to a primary care setting. The present study aims to evaluate the referral decision following orthopaedic care in PC+ and in particular to evaluate the influence of diagnostic tests on this decision. Therefore, retrospective monitoring data of patients visiting PC+ for orthopaedic care was used. Data was divided into two periods; P1 and P2. During P2, specialists in PC+ were able to request additional diagnostic tests (such as ultrasounds and MRIs). A total of 2,438 patients visiting PC+ for orthopaedic care were included in the analysis. The primary outcome was the referral decision following PC+ (back to the general practitioner (GP) or referral to outpatient hospital care). Independent variables were consultation- and patient-related predictors. To describe variations in the referral decision, logistic regression modelling was used. Results show that during P2, significantly more patients were referred back to their GP. Moreover, the multivariable analysis show a significant effect of patient age on the referral decision (OR 0.86, 95% CI = 0.81-0.91) and a significant interaction was found between the treating specialist and the period (p = 0.015) and between patient's diagnosis and the period (p ≤ 0.001). Despite the significant impact of the possibility of requesting additional diagnostic tests in PC+, it is important to discuss the extent to which the availability of diagnostic tests fits within the vision of PC+. In addition, selecting appropriate profiles for specialists and patients for PC+ are necessary to further optimise the effectiveness and cost of care.