A Conceptual Model for Spine Surgery Recovery: A Qualitative Study of Patients' Expectations, Experiences, and Satisfaction.

STUDY DESIGN: Qualitative interview study. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to develop a conceptual model for Spine Surgery Recovery in order to better understand why patients undergo lumbar spine surgery and what factors influence patient satisfaction. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Quantitative studies have assessed patients' expectations for lumbar spine surgery outcomes, with greater expectation fulfillment leading to higher satisfaction. However, there is limited literature using qualitative methods to understand the patient perspective from the decision to undergo lumbar spine surgery through long-term recovery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Semistructured phone interviews were conducted with 20 participants (nine females, mean age ±SD=61.2±11.1 yr) and three focus groups with 12 participants (nine females, mean age ±SD=62.0±10.9 yr). Sessions were audio recorded and transcribed. Two independent researchers coded the transcripts using a hierarchical coding system. Major themes were identified and a conceptual model was developed. RESULTS: A total of 1355 coded quotes were analyzed. The decision to have lumbar spine surgery was influenced by chronic pain impact on daily function, pain coping, and patient expectations. Results demonstrated that fulfilled expectations and setting realistic expectations are key factors for patient satisfaction after surgery, while less known constructs of accepting limitations, adjusting expectations, and optimism were found by many patients to be essential for a successful recovery. Emotional factors of fear, anxiety, and depression were important aspects of presurgical and postsurgical experiences. CONCLUSION: Our Spine Surgery Recovery conceptual model provides guidance for future research and clinical practice to optimize treatment and improve overall patient satisfaction. Recommendations based on this model include the assessment of patient expectations and mental well-being throughout postoperative recovery as well as preoperatively to help set realistic expectations and improve satisfaction. Educational, acceptance-based or positive psychological interventions may be potentially beneficial for addressing key factors identified in this model.

Patient-Centered Goals After Lumbar Spine Surgery: A Secondary Analysis of Cognitive-Behavioral-Based Physical Therapy Outcomes From a Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the association between goal attainment and patient-reported outcomes in patients who engaged in a 6-session, telephone-based, cognitive-behavioral-based physical therapy (CBPT) intervention after spine surgery. METHODS: In this secondary analysis of a randomized trial, data from 112 participants (mean age = 63.3 [SD = 11.2] years; 57 [51%] women) who attended at least 2 CBPT sessions (median = 6 [range = 2-6]) were examined. At each session, participants set weekly goals and used goal attainment scaling (GAS) to report goal attainment from the previous session. The number and type of goals and percentage of goals met were tracked. An individual GAS t score was computed across sessions. Participants were categorized based on goals met as expected (GAS t score ≥ 50) or goals not met as expected (GAS t score < 50). Six- and 12-month outcomes included disability (Oswestry Disability Index), physical and mental health (12-Item Short-Form Health Survey), physical function (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System), pain interference (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System), and back and leg pain intensity (numeric rating scale). Outcome differences over time between groups were examined with mixed-effects regression. RESULTS: Participants set a median of 3 goals (range = 1-6) at each session. The most common goal categories were recreational/physical activity (36%), adopting a CBPT strategy (28%), exercising (11%), and performing activities of daily living (11%). Forty-eight participants (43%) met their goals as expected. Participants who met their goals as expected had greater physical function improvement at 6 months (estimate = 3.7; 95% CI = 1.0 to 6.5) and 12 months (estimate = 2.8; 95% CI = 0.04 to 5.6). No other outcome differences were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Goal attainment within a CBPT program was associated with 6- and 12-month improvements in postoperative physical functioning. IMPACT: This study highlights goal attainment as an important rehabilitation component related to physical function recovery after spine surgery.

Effects of physical activity interventions using wearables to improve objectively-measured and patient-reported outcomes in adults following orthopaedic surgical procedures: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To synthesize evidence on physical activity interventions that used wearables, either alone or in combination with education or rehabilitation, in adults following orthopaedic surgical procedures. METHODS: PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO and EMBASE were searched for randomized controlled trials of wearable-based interventions from each database's inception to August 2021 in patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery. Relevant outcomes included physical activity, physical function, pain, psychological distress, or general health. PEDro scale scoring ranges from 0 to 10 and was used to appraise studies as high (≥7), moderate (5-6), or poor (<5) quality. RESULTS: Of 335 articles identified, 6 articles met eligibility criteria. PEDro scores ranged from 2 to 6, with 3 studies of moderate quality and 3 of poor quality. Studies included patients undergoing total knee (number; n = 4) or total knee or hip (n = 1) arthroplasty and lumbar disc herniation surgery (n = 1). In addition to wearables, intervention components included step diary (n = 2), motivational interviewing (n = 1), goal setting (n = 2), tailored exercise program (n = 2), or financial incentives (n = 1). Interventions were delivered in-person (n = 2), remotely (n = 3) or in a hybrid format (n = 1). Intervention duration ranged from 6 weeks to 6 months. Compared to controls, 3 moderate quality studies reported greater improvement in steps/day; however, 1 moderate and 2 poor quality studies showed no between-group difference in physical function, pain, or quality of life. No serious adverse events related to the use of wearable were reported. CONCLUSIONS: The effects of physical activity interventions using wearables, either delivered in-person or remotely, appear promising for increasing steps per day after joint arthroplasty; however, this finding should be viewed with caution since it is based on 3 moderate quality studies. Further research is needed to determine the therapeutic effects of using wearables as an intervention component in patients undergoing other orthopaedic surgical procedures. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO Registration Number: CRD42020186103.

How Many Steps Per Day During the Early Postoperative Period are Associated With Patient-Reported Outcomes of Disability, Pain, and Opioid Use After Lumbar Spine Surgery?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether early postoperative walking is associated with "best outcome" and no opioid use at 1 year after lumbar spine surgery and establish a threshold for steps/day to inform clinical practice. DESIGN: Secondary analysis from randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Two academic medical centers in the United States. PARTICIPANTS: We enrolled 248 participants undergoing surgery for a degenerative lumbar spine condition (N=248). A total of 212 participants (mean age, 62.8±11.4y, 53.3% female) had valid walking data at baseline. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Disability (Oswestry Disability Index), back and leg pain (Brief Pain Inventory), and opioid use (yes vs no) were assessed at baseline and 1 year after surgery. "Best outcome" was defined as Oswestry Disability Index ≤20, back pain ≤2, and leg pain ≤2. Steps/day (walking) was assessed with an accelerometer worn for at least 3 days and 10 h/d at 6 weeks after spine surgery, which was considered as study baseline. Separate multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the association between steps/day at 6 weeks and "best outcome" and no opioid use at 1-year. Receiver operating characteristic curves identified a steps/day threshold for achieving outcomes. RESULTS: Each additional 1000 steps/d at 6 weeks after spine surgery was associated with 41% higher odds of achieving "best outcome" (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15-1.74) and 38% higher odds of no opioid use (95% CI, 1.09-1.76) at 1 year. Walking ≥3500 steps/d was associated with 3.75 times the odds (95% CI, 1.56-9.02) of achieving "best outcome" and 2.37 times the odds (95% CI, 1.07-5.24) of not using opioids. CONCLUSIONS: Walking early after surgery may optimize patient-reported outcomes after lumbar spine surgery. A 3500 steps/d threshold may serve as an initial recommendation during early postoperative counseling.

All-Inside Quadrupled Semitendinosus Autograft Shows Stability Equivalent to Patellar Tendon Autograft Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Randomized Controlled Trial in Athletes 24 Years or Younger.

PURPOSE: To compare clinical outcomes of knee anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) autograft reconstruction using all-inside quadrupled semitendinosus (AIST) versus bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) in a high-risk athletic population 24 years or younger. METHODS: Skeletally mature candidates younger than 24 years old with an ACL tear were randomized into either the AIST (n = 32) or BPTB (n = 32) group and were followed for 2 years. Magnetic resonance imaging scans were obtained at 1-year follow-up, and radiographs were obtained at 2-year follow-up. All surgeries were performed by a single surgeon using an anteromedial portal to establish the femoral tunnel. The primary outcome measure was KT-1000 stability testing. Secondary outcome measures included International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) Knee Evaluation Form, IKDC Subjective Form, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, Marx Activity Scale, visual analog pain scale, and SF-12 (Mental and Physical). RESULTS: At 2-year follow-up, no statistical difference existed with KT-1000-measured side-to-side laxity between AIST (0.3 ± 0.7 mm, 95% confidence interval 0.0-1.0 mm) and BPTB (0.0 ± 0.8 mm, confidence interval CI -0.3 to 1.1 mm) (P = .197). In addition, no statistical differences between the groups were found for IKDC Subjective Form, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, Marx, SF-12 Mental, SF-12 Physical, or with regards to imaging findings. Patients with BPTB reported significantly greater postoperative pain scores at days 2 (P = .049), 3 (P = .004), and 7 (P = .015) and had significantly greater kneeling pain at 2 years (P < .019). A return to sport questionnaire at 2 years revealed no significant difference between the groups for returning to preoperative level of sport activity (83% AIST, 74% BPTB; P = .415). Two graft retears (7%; P = .222) occurred in the AIST group. Three patients in the BPTB group experienced ACL tears in the contralateral knee (9%; P = .239). CONCLUSIONS: ACL reconstruction with an all-inside quadrupled semitendinosus autograft construct is equivalent to patellar BPTB autograft based on KT-1000 stability testing in athletes 24 years or younger. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: randomized controlled trial with 92% 2-year follow-up, Level I.

Independent Suture Tape Internal Brace Reinforcement of Bone-Patellar Tendon-Bone Allografts: Biomechanical Assessment in a Full-ACL Reconstruction Laboratory Model.

Internal bracing for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery is a relatively new concept. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of an "independent" button-fixed internal brace on the biomechanical properties of ACL reconstruction in a full-construct experimental model. Three groups (n = 10 each) were tested in a full-construct porcine-bone model with human bone-patellar tendon-bone allografts using different reconstruction techniques: interference screw fixation on femur and tibia (S-S group), adjustable-loop device (ALD) fixation on the femur with tibial interference screw without suture tape (ALD-S group), and with internal brace (ALD-S-IB group). Measured outcomes included cyclic displacement, stiffness, and ultimate load to failure. The ALD-S-IB group (2.9 ± 0.8 mm) displaced significantly less than the ALD-S (4.2 ± 0.9 mm; p = 0.015) and S-S group (4.3 ± 1.1 mm; p = 0.017). No significant difference was found between the ALD-S and the S-S group. Construct stiffness was significantly higher for the ALD-S-IB group (156 ± 23 N/mm) and the ALD-S group (122 ± 28 N/mm) than for the S-S group (104 ± 40 N/mm; p = 0.003 and p = 0.0042), but there was no significant difference between both ALD groups. Similarly, ultimate loads in the ALD-S-IB (758 ± 128 N) and the ALD-S groups (628 ± 223 N) were significantly greater than in the S-S group (416 ± 167 N; p < 0.001 and p = 0.025), but there was no significant difference between ALD groups. Adding an internal brace reinforcement to an ALD in a full-construct experimental model significantly decreased cyclic displacement by 31% without increasing construct stiffness or ultimate load significantly. These results indicate that suture tape internal bracing of bone-patellar tendon-bone allograft ACL reconstruction decreases cyclic displacement during experimental testing, which has clinical implications regarding initial construct stability.

Isolated Complete Rupture of the Biceps Femoris Insertion: A Surgical Repair Technique Manuscript.

Isolated rupture of the distal biceps femoris insertion is rare. Current literature offers limited case reports and outcome measures after surgical management. We describe a knotless suture anchor fixation technique for this tear pattern. At surgery, the retracted biceps tendon and insertion site is debrided to healthy tissue, FiberTape suture (Arthrex) is passed in a Kracków fashion through the tendon, and the 2 ends of the suture are brought down to a SwiveLock anchor (Arthrex) at the anatomic insertion. FiberWire sutures (Arthrex) from the anchor are brought over the remnant stump, completing the repair.

A Biomechanical Study of the Role of the Anterolateral Ligament and the Deep Iliotibial Band for Control of a Simulated Pivot Shift With Comparison of Minimally Invasive Extra-articular Anterolateral Tendon Graft Reconstruction Versus Modified Lemaire Reconstruction After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

PURPOSE: To determine whether the deep fibers of the iliotibial band (dITB) or the anterolateral ligament (ALL) provides more control of a simulated pivot shift and whether a minimally invasive anterolateral reconstruction (ALR) designed to functionally restore the ALL and dITB is mechanically equivalent to a modified Lemaire reconstruction (MLR). METHODS: Six matched pairs of cadaveric knees (N = 12) were subjected to a simulated pivot shift to evaluate anteroposterior translation; internal rotation; and valgus laxity at 0°, 30°, and 90° of flexion. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) was sectioned in all specimens, and retesting was performed. Within each pair, sequential sectioning of the ALL and dITB was performed, followed by testing; the contralateral knee was sectioned in reverse order. Knees underwent ACL reconstruction (ACLR) and repeat testing. Then, MLR (n = 6) or ALR (n = 6) was performed on matched pairs for final testing. RESULTS: Sectioning of the dITB versus ALL (after ACL sectioning) produced significantly more anterior translation at all flexion angles (P = .004, P = .012, and P = .011 for 0°, 30°, and 90°, respectively). The ACL-plus-dITB sectioned state had significantly more internal rotation at 0° versus ACL plus ALL (P = .03). ACLR plus ALR restored native anterior translation at all flexion angles. ACLR plus MLR restored anterior translation to native values only at 0° (P = .34). We found no statistically significant differences between ACLR plus ALR and ACLR plus MLR at any flexion angle for internal rotation or valgus laxity compared with the native state. CONCLUSIONS: ALR of the knee in conjunction with ACLR can return the knee to its native biomechanical state without causing overconstraint. The dITB plays a more critical role in controlling anterior translation and internal rotation at 0° than the ALL. The minimally invasive ALR was functionally equivalent to MLR for restoration of knee kinematics after ACLR. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The dITB is more important than the ALL for control of the pivot shift. A minimally invasive extra-articular tendon allograft reconstruction was biomechanically equivalent to a modified Lemaire procedure for control of a simulated pivot shift.

Independent Suture Tape Reinforcement of Small and Standard Diameter Grafts for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Biomechanical Full Construct Model.

PURPOSE: To compare the dynamic elongation, stiffness behavior, and ultimate failure load of standard with small diameter soft tissue grafts for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with and without high-strength suture tape reinforcement. METHODS: Both a tripled "small" diameter and a "standard" quadrupled tendon graft with and without suture tape reinforcement were tested using suspensory fixation (n = 8 each group). The suture tape was passed through the suspensory fixation button on the femur and tibia to ensure independent (safety belt) fixation from the graft in vitro. The testing of the constructs included position-controlled cyclic loading, force-controlled cyclic loading at 250 N and 400 N as well as pull to failure (50 mm/min). RESULTS: Reinforcement of a small diameter graft significantly reduced dynamic elongation of 38% (1.46 ± 0.28 mm vs 2.34 ± 0.44 mm, P < .001) and 50% (2.55 ± 0.44 mm vs 5.06 ± 0.67 mm, P < .001) after the 250 N and 400 N load protocol, respectively. Reinforcement of a standard diameter tendon graft decreased dynamic elongation of 15% (1.59 ± 0.34 mm vs 1.86 ± 0.17 mm, P = .066) and 26% (2.62 ± 0.44 mm vs 3.55 ± 0.44 mm, P < .001). No significant difference was found between both reinforced models. The ultimate failure loads of small and standard diameter reinforced grafts were 1592 ± 105 N and 1585 ± 265 N, resulting in a 64% (P < .001) and 40% (P < .001) increase compared with their respective controls. CONCLUSIONS: Independent suture tape reinforcement of soft tissue grafts for ACL reconstruction leads to significantly reduced elongation and higher ultimate failure load according to in vivo native ACL function data without stress-shielding the soft tissue graft. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: If in vitro results are translational to human knees in vivo, the suture tape reinforcement technique for ACL reconstruction may decrease the risk of graft tears, particularly in the case of small diameter soft tissue grafts.

Knotless Arthroscopic Reduction and Internal Fixation of a Displaced Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tibial Eminence Avulsion Fracture.

Generally occurring in the 8- to 14-year-old population, tibial eminence avulsion fractures are a common variant of anterior cruciate ligament ruptures and represent 2% to 5% of all knee injuries in skeletally immature individuals. In this article, we report on a new arthroscopic reduction and internal fixation technique that involves 2 absorbable anchors with adjustable suture-tensioning technology. This technique optimizes reduction and helps surgeons avoid proximal tibial physeal damage, procedure-related morbidity, and additional surgery.