Anxiety, Depression, and Quality of Sleep Vary in Their Correlation to Postoperative Outcomes of Rotator Cuff Repair: A Prospective Study.

Background/Objectives: Recent studies imply that psychological factors and sleep quality play a role in the outcomes of surgical procedures, including in orthopedic surgery. The aim of the present study is to evaluate possible correlations between preoperative depression, anxiety, and quality of sleep and functional 6-month postoperative scores in patients having undergone rotator cuff repair (RCR). Methods: All patients included in the study performed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaires preoperatively and 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS), Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), and PSQI questionnaires at the six-month postoperative follow-up. A total of 47 patients were included in the analysis. Results: Statistically significant differences between preoperative anxious and not-anxious groups were found in the postoperative SF-36 Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores and PSQI score. The correlation of the preoperative depression score to postoperative outcome measures revealed a strong positive correlation between the preoperative HADS-D score and the 6-month PCS, MCS, and OSS scores. The correlation of preoperative sleep quality to postoperative outcome measures revealed a strong positive correlation between the preoperative PSQI score and 6-month MCS score. Conclusions: Anxious patients had worse postoperative RCR outcomes. Depression may be influenced by factors related to RC pathology; however, there were no statistically significant correlations. Sleep quality generally improves postoperatively, and no significant association was found between bad preoperative sleepers and worse outcomes.

Arthroscopic management of isolated partial-thickness rotator cuff tears.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study is to provide a comprehensive review on the surgical outcomes following arthroscopic treatments of partial-thickness rotator cuff tears (PT-RCTs) and to compare the postoperative American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score following in situ transtendon repair and tear completion, followed by repair. METHODS: Medline, EMBASE, Scopus, CINAHL and CENTRAL bibliographic databases were searched. Papers including patients with PT-RCTs of any grade who underwent treatment using debridement, in situ transtendon repair, tear completion and repair or bioinductive collagen implants were reviewed. Primary PT-RCTs were the sole indication for surgery. Primary postoperative outcomes assessed included the ASES score, the Absolute Constant-Murley score, the Simple Shoulder Test, the Visual Analogue Scale, the University of California-Los Angeles Shoulder Scale, the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Score, range of motion, complications and revisions. A meta-analysis of comparative studies compared the postoperative ASES score between patients treated with in situ transtendon repair versus tear completion repair. RESULTS: Twenty-eight studies were included. The ASES score was reported by four comparative studies with contrasting results. The heterogeneity was high (I2 = 86%), and effect sizes ranged from -0.49 in favour of the tear completion and repair technique to an effect size of +1.07 favouring in situ transtendon repair. The overall effect size of 0.02 suggests an equivalence between the two techniques in terms of the ASES score. Two studies with a total sample size of 111 patients reported on debridement, and four studies with a total sample size of 155 patients reported on bioinductive collagen implants. CONCLUSION: Debridement alone is suitable for Ellman grades I-II PT-RCTs. In situ transtendon and tear completion repair techniques yield similar postoperative outcomes. Bioinductive collagen implants hold promise but lack long-term efficacy data. High-quality comparative studies are needed to determine the best treatment for PT-RCTs. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Bilateral simultaneous hip and knee replacement: an epidemiological nationwide study from 2001 to 2016.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have compared the pros and cons of simultaneous bilateral versus staged bilateral hip and knee replacement but the outcomes of these two surgical options remains a matter of controversy. This study aimed to evaluate demographic features, incidence and hospitalization rates of bilateral one stage total hip and knee arthroplasty in Italy. METHODS: The Italian Ministry of Health's National Hospital Discharge Reports (SDO) were used to gather data. This study referred to the adult population (+ 20 years of age) from 2001 to 2015 for hip arthroplasty and from 2001 to 2016 for knee arthroplasty. RESULTS: Overall, 1,544 bilateral simultaneous hip replacement were carried out. The incidence rate was 0.21 cases per 100,000 adult Italian residents. Male/female ratio was 1.1. The average days of hospital stay was 11.7 ± 11.8 days. The main primary codified diagnosis was: osteoarthrosis, localized, primary, pelvic region and thigh (ICD code: 715.15). 2,851 bilateral simultaneous knee replacement were carried out. The incidence rate was 0.37 cases per 100,000 adult Italian residents. Male/female ratio was 0.6. The average days of hospital stay was 7.7 ± 5.8 days. The main primary codified diagnosis was: osteoarthrosis, localized, primary, lower leg (ICD code: 715.16). CONCLUSIONS: The burden of hip and knee osteoarthrosis as a leading cause of bilateral joint replacement is significant in Italy. The national registers' longitudinal analysis may provide data for establishing international guidelines regarding the appropriate indications for one stage bilateral simultaneous hip or knee replacement versus two stage.

I Am Afraid I Will Not Be Able to Walk, That Is What Worries Me-The Experience of Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis before Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Qualitative Study.

Background: Knee osteoarthritis is the most prevalent type of osteoarthritis. Patients frequently encounter pain triggered by movement that evolves into impaired joint function. Needing persistent rest or having night-time pain signifies advanced disease. Qualitative research is considered the most effective method for comprehending patients' needs and contexts. Methods: This study employed a qualitative research design, allowing the researchers to acquire insights into the patients' beliefs and values, and the contextual factors influencing the formation and expression of these beliefs and values. Results: A cohort of nine patients awaiting total knee replacement (TKR) surgery was included and they were interviewed until data saturation was achieved. The results of the phenomenological analysis resulted in the identification of three themes: "The existence of pain impedes the capacity to participate in daily life activities"; "TKR induced fears and uncertainties regarding the progression of the disease"; "Severe nighttime pain compromising sleep quality". Conclusions: This study analyzes the experiences of people awaiting TKR surgery, emphasizing the importance of addressing their unique needs to improve preoperative education and rehabilitation. In this way, patients' recovery during the postoperative phase can be improved.

Metaverse, virtual reality and augmented reality in total shoulder arthroplasty: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: This systematic review aims to provide an overview of the current knowledge on the role of the metaverse, augmented reality, and virtual reality in reverse shoulder arthroplasty. METHODS: A systematic review was performed using the PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive review of the applications of the metaverse, augmented reality, and virtual reality in in-vivo intraoperative navigation, in the training of orthopedic residents, and in the latest innovations proposed in ex-vivo studies was conducted. RESULTS: A total of 22 articles were included in the review. Data on navigated shoulder arthroplasty was extracted from 14 articles: seven hundred ninety-three patients treated with intraoperative navigated rTSA or aTSA were included. Also, three randomized control trials (RCTs) reported outcomes on a total of fifty-three orthopedics surgical residents and doctors receiving VR-based training for rTSA, which were also included in the review. Three studies reporting the latest VR and AR-based rTSA applications and two proof of concept studies were also included in the review. CONCLUSIONS: The metaverse, augmented reality, and virtual reality present immense potential for the future of orthopedic surgery. As these technologies advance, it is crucial to conduct additional research, foster development, and seamlessly integrate them into surgical education to fully harness their capabilities and transform the field. This evolution promises enhanced accuracy, expanded training opportunities, and improved surgical planning capabilities.

Epidemiology of Spondylolisthesis: A Nationwide Study From 2001 to 2016 in the Italian Population.

STUDY DESIGN: Epidemiological study. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the annual incidence of spondylolisthesis requiring surgery in Italy and the epidemiological characteristics of the patients. BACKGROUND: The health care system continues to incur considerable costs as a result of low-back pain. Segmental instability of the lumbar spine has attracted significant interest from researchers as a potential mechanism leading to mechanical low back pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Italian Ministry of Health's National Hospital Discharge Reports database in the 2001-2016 period was considered. RESULTS: A total of 55,804 hospital admissions for spondylolisthesis were performed in Italy. The cumulative incidence was 6.8 interventions for every 100,000 Italian adult residents. The highest amount of procedures was recorded in the 65-69 years of age group. The overall patient's age was 56.8 ± 15.1 years. The 62.2% of patients were females. The average hospital stay length was 8.1 ± 7.3 days. On average, older patients require more days of hospital stay. Over the study period, it was observed a decreasing trend in the average number of days of hospital stay. The main primary diagnoses included were "acquired spondylolisthesis" [International Classification of Diseases (ICD) code: 738.4; 57.8%] and "spondylolisthesis" (ICD code: 756.12; 42.2%). By far, the main primary procedure performed was "lumbar and lumbosacral fusion of the anterior column, posterior technique" (ICD code: 81.08; 60.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Spondylolisthesis is a problem in Italy and a leading cause requiring spine surgery. Females were the majority of patients requiring surgery for spondylolisthesis. However, for younger age groups, males showed superior or equal need for spine surgery. The socioeconomic impact of spondylolisthesis in Italy is relevant, affecting patients still in the working population. The increasing trend of spine surgery for spondylolisthesis in Italy may be attributable to the widespread diffusion of modern diagnostic and surgical technologies. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II.

Arthroscopic microfracture and associated techniques in the treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus: A systematic review and metanalysis.

BACKGROUND: Osteochondral lesions of the talus are common in patients suffering even minor trauma; timely diagnosis and treatment can prevent the development of early osteoarthritis. The objectives of this systematic review and meta-analysis were to evaluate the effects of additional procedures on arthroscopic ankle microperforations for osteochondral lesions. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed-Medline, Cochrane Central, and Google Scholar to select clinical studies analyzing the efficacy of platelet-rich plasma (PRP), hyaluronic acid (HA), and bone marrow concentrate (BMC) procedures. Ten articles following PRISMA guidelines with a total of 464 patients were included in this review. Quality assessment using MINORS was performed, and all studies demonstrated high quality. RESULTS: The results of the systematic review showed benefits in all patients undergoing infiltrative therapy with PRP, hyaluronic acid, and BMC. The best results in terms of AOFAS score and VAS scale were found in patients undergoing PRP injection. The meta-analysis showed improvements in pain relief and return to daily activities in patients undergoing arthroscopic microperforations and PRP, although not reporting statistically significant results (p = 0.42). CONCLUSION: All treatment strategies reported better scores compared to the control groups. Among the various treatments analyzed, the addition of PRP appears to be the most valuable probably for the larger population receiving this treatment, showing excellent outcomes in pain reduction, clinical outcomes, and return to daily activities. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.

Machine learning can predict anterior elevation after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty: A new tool for daily outpatient clinic?

The aim of the present study was to individuate and compare specific machine learning algorithms that could predict postoperative anterior elevation score after reverse shoulder arthroplasty surgery at different time points. Data from 105 patients who underwent reverse shoulder arthroplasty at the same institute have been collected with the purpose of generating algorithms which could predict the target. Twenty-eight features were extracted and applied to two different machine learning techniques: Linear regression and support vector regression (SVR). These two techniques were also compared in order to define to most faithfully predictive. Using the extracted features, the SVR algorithm resulted in a mean absolute error (MAE) of 11.6° and a classification accuracy (PCC) of 0.88 on the test-set. Linear regression, instead, resulted in a MAE of 13.0° and a PCC of 0.85 on the test-set. Our machine learning study demonstrates that machine learning could provide high predictive algorithms for anterior elevation after reverse shoulder arthroplasty. The differential analysis between the utilized techniques showed higher accuracy in prediction for the support vector regression. Level of Evidence III: Retrospective cohort comparison; Computer Modeling.

The influence of gut microbiome on periprosthetic joint infections: State-of-the art.

Early periprosthetic joint infection constitutes one of the most frightening complications of joint replacement. Recently, some evidence has highlighted the potential link between dysregulation of the gut microbiota and degenerative diseases of joints. It has been hypothesized that microbiome dysbiosis may increase the risk of periprosthetic joint infection by facilitating bacterial translocation from these sites to the bloodstream or by impairing local or systemic immune responses. Although the processes tying the gut microbiome to infection susceptibility are still unknown, new research suggests that the presurgical gut microbiota-a previously unconsidered component-may influence the patient's ability to resist infection. Exploring the potential impact of the microbiome on periprosthetic joint infections may therefore bring new insights into the pathogenesis and therapy of these disorders. For a successful therapy, a proper surgical procedure in conjunction with an antibacterial concept is essential. As per the surgical approach, different treatment strategies include surgical irrigation, debridement, antibiotic therapy, and implant retention with or without polyethylene exchange. Other alternatives could be one-stage or two-stage revisions surgery. Interventions that either directly target gut microbes as well as interventions that modify the composition and/or function of the commensal microbes represent an innovative and potentially successful field to be explored. In recent times, innovative therapeutic methods have arisen in the realm of microbiome restoration and the management of gut-related ailments. These progressive approaches offer fresh perspectives on tackling intricate microbial imbalances in the gastrointestinal tract. These emerging therapies signify a shift towards more precise and individualized approaches to microbiome restoration and the management of gut-related disorders. Once a more advanced knowledge of the pathways linking the gut microbiota to musculoskeletal tissues is gained, relevant microbiome-based therapies can be developed. If dysbiosis is proven to be a significant contributor, developing treatments for dysbiosis may represent a new frontier in the prevention of periprosthetic joint infections.

Conservative Management of Partial Thickness Rotator Cuff Tears: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Conservative management has emerged as an attractive option for partial thickness rotator cuff tears (PT-RCTs). A single algorithmic treatment strategy for patients with symptomatic PT-RCT has not yet been developed. This systematic review aims to ascertain whether a conservative approach to PT-RCTs yields positive results in terms of clinical outcomes and functional recovery. METHODS: This is a systematic review of the literature on patients with PT-RCTs receiving conservative treatment with physiotherapy, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, collagen injections, hyaluronic acid (HA) injections, or corticosteroids injections coupled with polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN). Outcomes such as the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons and Constant-Murley Score evaluations, as well as the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index and Euro Quality of Life-5D questionnaires were reported following a conservative approach. RESULTS: Eleven studies were included. Six articles explored the outcomes of patients with PT-RCT treated with PRP injections. Significant improvements in VAS for pain were observed. Two studies examined collagen injections and reported variations in VAS for pain and Constant-Murley Score. Sodium hyaluronate and HA injections were studied in two other articles, showing notable improvements in American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores. Corticosteroid and PDRN injections also displayed favorable outcomes. In addition, physical therapy protocols demonstrated improvements in VAS for pain and strength, particularly with eccentric rehabilitation. CONCLUSIONS: Conservative management of PT-RCTs, involving physical therapy, PRP injections, collagen injections, corticosteroid injections, HA injections, and PDRN in jections, demonstrates favorable clinical outcomes. In addition, favorable results are observed in terms of decreased tear width and improved strength recovery, at least during a short-term follow-up. Unfortunately, long-term insight into the structural integrity of conservatively treated rotator cuff tendons following a partial injury has not been thoroughly evaluated yet. STUDY DESIGN LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Level IV-systematic review.

Magnetic resonance imaging could precisely define the mean value of tendon thickness in partial rotator cuff tears.

PURPOSE: Rotator Cuff (RC) lesions are classified in full-thickness and partial-thickness tears (PTRCTs). To our knowledge, no studies investigated the mean size of shoulder tendons in healthy and PTRCT patients using MRI scans. The aim of the study was to provide data to obtain and compare the mean value of tendon sizes in healthy and PTRCTs groups. METHODS: From 2014 to 2020, 500 were included in the study. They were divided into two groups: Group 1 (100 subjects) was composed of people positive for partial-thickness rotator cuff tears (PTRCTs), while the 400 subjects in Group 2 were negative for PTRCTs. RESULTS: Overall, of the patients included in the study, 231 were females and 269 were males. The mean age of the patients was 49 ± 12.7 years. The mean thickness of the supraspinatus tendon (SSP) was 5.7 ± 0.6 mm in Group 1, 5.9 ± 0.6 mm in Group 2 (p < 0.001). The mean length of the ISP tendon was 27.4 ± 3.2 mm in Group 1, 28.3 ± 3.8 mm in Group 2 (p = 0.004). The mean width of the SSP tendon was 17 ± 1.6 mm in Group 1, 17.6 ± 2 mm in Group 2 (p = 0.004). The mean width of the infraspinatus tendon (ISP) tendon was 17.7 ± 1.4 mm in Group 1, 18.3 ± 2.1 mm in Group 2 (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: The anatomical data present in this paper may serve as a tool for surgeons to properly manage PTRCTs. The findings of the present study aimed to set the first step towards reaching unanimity to establish international cut-off values to perform surgery. Additionally, they could widely increase diagnostic accuracy, improving both conservative and surgical approaches. Lastly, further clinical trials using more accurate diagnostic MRI tools are required to better define the anatomical differences between PTRCT and healthy patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, Retrospective Comparative Trial.

Economic Evaluation of a Bioinductive Implant for the Repair of Rotator Cuff Tears Compared with Standard Surgery in Italy.

INTRODUCTION: Rotator cuff tear (RCT) is a painful, progressive condition resulting from damage to the rotator cuff tendons and is the leading cause of shoulder-related disability. Surgical repair of rotator cuff is an established standard of care (SOC); however, failure of the procedure can occur. In this context, the use of collagen-based bioinductive implant REGENETEN showed long-term improvements in clinical scores. The aim of the study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of REGENETEN combined with SOC (SOC + REGENETEN) compared to SOC alone from both National Healthcare Service (NHS) and societal perspectives in Italy. METHODS: A decision analytic model was developed to estimate the number of tears healed and costs for the two considered treatment strategies over 1 year. Clinical data were retrieved from the literature, and the clinical pathways for the management of patients with RCTs were retrieved from four key opinion leaders in Italy. RESULTS: Over a 1-year time horizon, healed lesions were 90.70% and 72.90% for surgical repair of RCTs with and without REGENETEN, respectively. Considering the NHS perspective, mean costs per patient were €7828 and €4650 for the two strategies, respectively, leading to an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of €17,857 per healed tear. From the societal perspective, the mean costs per patient were €12,659 for SOC and €11,784 for REGENETEN, thus showing savings of €4918 per healed tear when the bioinductive implant is used. The sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the model results. CONCLUSION: In the context of paucity of cost-effectiveness studies, our findings provide additional evidence for clinicians and payers regarding the value of a new treatment option that supports a tailored approach for the management of patients with RCTs.

The rotator cuff refers to a group of four muscles, with tendons connected to the upper arm bone, which act together to allow lifting and rotating the shoulder. A tear of the rotator cuff can affect either a single tendon or multiple tendons. Typical first-line treatment includes conservative therapies, which aim to alleviate pain and reduce functional impairment, but are often ineffective. Persisting disease is usually managed through conventional surgical repair. Recently, REGENETEN, a collagen-based bioinductive implant derived from purified bovine Achilles tendon, positioned over the site of the damaged rotator cuff, achieved successful rotator cuff tendon repair with an increase in healed tears of 17.80% at 1 year compared to conventional surgery. Considering the National Healthcare Service perspective in Italy, the cost needed to achieve one additional healed tear using REGENETEN compared to conventional surgery is €17,857. From the societal perspective, which includes patients' productivity losses from hospital admission to return to work, the use of REGENETEN may be cost-saving compared to conventional surgery. The findings of our study provide evidence for clinicians and payers to support the value of a new treatment option for patients with rotator cuff lesions.

Application of Machine Learning Algorithms for Prognostic Assessment in Rotator Cuff Pathologies: A Clinical Data-Based Approach.

AIM: The overall aim of this proposal is to ameliorate the care of rotator cuff (RC) tear patients by applying an innovative machine learning approach for outcome prediction after arthroscopic repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We applied state-of-the-art machine learning algorithms to evaluate the best predictors of the outcome, and 100 RC patients were evaluated at baseline (T0), after 1 month (T1), 3 months (T2), 6 months (T3), and 1 year (T4) from surgical intervention. The outcome measure was the Costant-Murley Shoulder Score, whereas age, sex, BMI, the 36-Item Short-Form Survey, the Simple Shoulder Test, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Score, the Oxford Shoulder Score, and the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index were considered as predictive factors. Support vector machine (SVM), k-nearest neighbors (k-NN), naïve Bayes (NB), and random forest (RF) algorithms were employed. RESULTS: Across all sessions, the classifiers demonstrated suboptimal performance when using both the complete and shrunken sets of features. Specifically, the logistic regression (LR) classifier achieved a mean accuracy of 46.5% ± 6%, while the random forest (RF) classifier achieved 51.25% ± 4%. For the shrunken set of features, LR obtained a mean accuracy of 48.5% ± 6%, and RF achieved 45.5% ± 4.5%. No statistical differences were found when comparing the performance metrics of ML algorithms. CONCLUSIONS: This study underlines the importance of extending the application of AI methods to new predictors, such as neuroimaging and kinematic data, in order to better record significant shifts in RC patients' prognosis. LIMITATIONS: The data quality within the cohort could represent a limitation, since certain variables, such as smoking, diabetes, and work injury, are known to have an impact on the outcome.

Intra-articular temperature monitoring during radiofrequency ablation in ex-vivo bovine hip joints via Fiber Bragg grating sensors.

PURPOSE: Radiofrequency ablation is an increasingly used surgical option for ablation, resection and coagulation of soft tissues in joint arthroscopy. One of the major issues of thermal ablation is the temperature monitoring across the target areas, as cellular mortality is a direct consequence of thermal dosimetry. Temperatures from 45 °C to 50 °C are at risk of damage to chondrocytes. One of the most reliable tools for temperature monitoring is represented by fiber optic sensors, as they allow accurate and real-time temperature measurement via a minimally invasive approach. The aim of this study was to determine, by fiber Bragg grating sensors (FBGs), the safety of radiofrequency ablation in tissue heating applied to ex-vivo bovine hip joints. METHODS: Ex vivo bovine hips were subjected to radiofrequency ablation, specifically in the acetabular labrum, for a total of two experiments. The WEREWOLF System (Smith + Nephew, Watford, UK) was employed in high operating mode and in a controlled ablation way. One optical fiber embedding seven FBGs was used to record multipoint temperature variations. Each sensor was 1 mm in length with a distance from edge to edge with each other of 2 mm. RESULTS: The maximum variation was recorded in both the tests by the FBG1 (i.e., the closest one to the electrode tip) and was lower than to 2.8 °C. The other sensors (from FBG2 to FBG7) did not record a significant temperature change throughout the duration of the experiment (maximum up to 0.7 °C for FBG7). CONCLUSIONS: No significant increase in temperature was observed at any of the seven sites. The sensor nearest to the radiofrequency source exhibited the highest temperature rise, but the variation was only 3 °C. The minimal temperature increase registered at the measurement sites, according to existing literature, is not expected to be cytotoxic. FBGs demonstrate the potential to fulfil the strict requirements for temperature measurements during arthroscopic surgery.

Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID), Substantial Clinical Benefit (SCB), and Patient Acceptable Symptom State (PASS) of the Shoulder Disability Questionnaire (SDQ) in Patients Undergoing Rotator Cuff Repair.

The Shoulder Disability Questionnaire (SDQ) is a Patient-Reported Outcome Measure (PROM) applied to evaluate shoulder surgery outcomes. The purpose of this study is to identify the accurate Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID), Substantial Clinical Benefit (SCB) and Patient Acceptable Symptom State (PASS) values for the SDQ score. A total of 35 patients (21 women and 16 men, mean age 76.6 ± 3.2 years) were followed up at 6 months postoperatively. To assess the patient's health satisfaction and symptoms, anchor questions were used. The MCID and SCB values of the SDQ score for patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair from inception to final follow-up were 40.8 and 55.6, respectively. A change of 40.8 in the SDQ score at 6 months after surgery shows that patients achieved a minimum clinically important improvement in their state of health, and a 55.6 change in the SDQ score reflects a substantial clinically important improvement. The PASS cut-off of the SDQ score at 6 months postoperatively ranged from 22.5 to 25.8. If an SDQ score of 22.5 or more is attained after surgery, the health condition can be recognized as acceptable by the majority of patients. These cut-offs will help with understanding specific patient results and allow clinicians to personally assess patient improvement after rotator cuff repair.

Patients' Perceptions and Experiences during the Pre-Admission Phase for Total Hip Replacement Surgery: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study.

Osteoarthritis negatively impacts the patient's quality of life. Qualitative research is an effective tool in detecting the various emotions experienced by patients with osteoarthritis. Such studies play a crucial role in promoting comprehension of the patient's experiences of health and illness among healthcare professionals, including nurses. The purpose of this study is to examine patients' perceptions during the pre-admission process for total hip replacement (THR). The study utilized a qualitative descriptive methodology with a phenomenological approach. A sample of patients awaiting THR consented to participate in the study and were interviewed until data saturation was achieved. The results of the phenomenological analysis resulted in the identification of three themes: 1-Surgery generates mixed feelings; 2-Pain negatively impacts daily life activities; 3-Pain requires personal strategies to be alleviated. Patients awaiting THR demonstrate frustration and anxiety. They experience intense pain during daily activities, which persists even during night rest.

Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms Correlated to Patient-Reported Outcome Measures after Rotator Cuff Repair: A Prospective Study in the Perioperative Period.

Anxiety and depressive symptoms adversely affect surgical outcomes in patients with rotator cuff tear (RCT) undergoing surgical repair. Patients without a diagnosis of mood disorders, such as anxiety and depression, before rotator cuff repair (RCR) can be considered an optimal candidate for surgery. The objective of this prospective observational study was to evaluate the relationship between anxiety and depressive symptoms, using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) as an assessment tool, and patient-reported outcome measures in RCT after repair surgery. This study included patients with RCT undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (RCR). Forty-three patients were included who had completed the HADS, Constant Murley Score (CMS), and Short Form Health Survey 36 (SF-36) questionnaires before surgery and in the postoperative follow-up, at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. The Friedman test showed that there were statistically significant changes in the different times point for HADS (p < 0.001), anxiety subscale of HADS, i.e., HADS-A (p < 0.001), depression subscale of HADS, i.e., HADS-D (p < 0.001), CMS (p < 0.001), and SF-36 (p < 0.001). The average scores of HADS, HADS-A, and HADS-D improved at each follow-up, showing improvement in discomfort. From the third month after surgery, there was an improvement in anxiety and depression disorders related to improved quality of life, functionality, and pain perception. The trend remained stable until the sixth month of follow up. This study shows that anxiety and depressive symptoms in RCT patients are significantly reduced after RCR with subsequent important improvements in terms of functionality, ability to carry out activities of daily living, perceived pain, and quality of life.

A qualitative assessment of experiences and perception during pre-admission for rotator cuff repair surgery.

BACKGROUND: Rotator Cuff Related Shoulder Pain (RCRSP) is the most common type of shoulder pain and the most disabling common symptom in people with Rotator Cuff Tear (RCT). The patient's point of view concerning health status has become important in decision-making procedures and has therefore been considered a possible criterion standard for assessing treatment efficacy. The study aims to explore patients' experiences and perceptions during pre-admission for Rotator Cuff Repair surgery. METHODS: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted using a phenomenological approach based on Husserl's philosophical perspective. A consecutive sample of twenty RCT patients awaiting repair surgery agreed to participate and was interviewed until the information was saturated. None of the patients enrolled was lost during the data collection phases. Data were collected through open-ended interviews between December 2021 and January 2022. The credibility, reliability, confirmability, and transferability criteria of Lincoln and Guba have been adopted to guarantee the trustworthiness of the results. The data analysis was conducted according to inductive content analysis. RESULTS: Four main themes and sub-themes related to each have been identified from the phenomenological analysis. The major themes were: (1) Pain changes lifestyle habits, (2) Pain control requires specific strategies, (3) Suffering turns time into waiting, (4) Waiting for Surgery between trust and fear. CONCLUSION: Investigating patients' experiences and the emotional impact of Rotator Cuff Tear facilitates the development of specific educational and therapeutic strategies to improve care and post-intervention outcomes.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of arthroscopic Bankart repair versus open Latarjet reconstruction in anterior shoulder instability.

PURPOSE: The ideal surgical treatment for anterior shoulder instability is still under debate. In the healthcare setting, both clinical and economic factors must be considered for optimal resource allocation. From the clinical perspective, the Instability Severity Index Score (ISIS) is a helpful and validated tool for surgeons, although a gray area between 4 and 6 exists. In fact, patients with an ISIS < 4 and > 6 can be treated effectively with arthroscopic Bankart repair and open Latarjet, respectively. The purpose of this study was to conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis of arthroscopic Bankart repair versus open Latarjet in patients with an ISIS between 4 and 6. METHODS: A decision-tree model was constructed to simulate the clinical scenario of an anterior shoulder dislocation patient with an ISIS between 4 and 6. Based on previously published literature, outcome probabilities and utility values in the form of Western Ontario Instability Score (WOSI) were assigned to each branch of the tree, alongside institutional cost. The primary outcome assessed was an Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of the two procedures. Eden-Hybbinette was also considered in the model as a salvage procedure for failed Latarjet. A two-way sensitivity analysis was performed to identify the most impactful parameters on the ICER upon their variation within a pre-determined interval. RESULTS: Base case cost was 1245.57 € (1220.48-1270.65 €) for arthroscopic Bankart repair, 1623.10 € (1580.82-1665.39 €) for open Latarjet and 2.373.95 € (1940.81-2807.10 €) for Eden-Hybbinette. Base-case ICER was 9570.23 €/WOSI. Sensitivity analysis showed that the most impactful parameters were the utility of arthroscopic Bankart repair, the probability of success of open Latarjet, the probability of undergoing surgery after post-operative recurrence of instability and the utility of Latarjet. Of these, utility of arthroscopic Bankart repair and Latarjet had the most significant impact on the ICER. CONCLUSION: From a hospital perspective, open Latarjet was more cost-effective than arthroscopic Bankart repair in preventing further shoulder instability in patients with an ISIS between 4 and 6. Despite its several limitations, this is the first study to analyze this subgroup of patients from a European hospital setting from both an economic and clinical perspective. This study can help surgeons and administrations in the decision-making process. Further clinical studies are needed to prospectively analyze both aspects to further delineate the best strategy.

Colles' Fracture: An Epidemiological Nationwide Study in Italy from 2001 to 2016.

The present study aimed to evaluate the yearly number of Colles' fractures in Italy from 2001 to 2016, based on official information found in hospitalization records. A secondary aim was to estimate the average length of hospitalization for patients with a Colles' fracture. A tertiary aim was to investigate the distribution of the procedures generally performed for Colles' fractures' treatment in Italy. An analysis of the National Hospital Discharge records (SDO) maintained at the Italian Ministry of Health, concerning the 15 years of our study (from 2001 to 2016) was performed. Data are anonymous and include the patient's age, sex, domicile, length of hospital stays (days), primary diagnoses and primary procedures. From 2001 to 2016, 120,932 procedures for Colles' fracture were performed in Italy, which represented an incidence of 14.8 procedures for every 100,000 adult Italian inhabitants. The main number of surgeries was found in the 65-69- and 70-74-year age groups. In the present study, we review the epidemiology of Colles' fractures in the Italian population, the burden of the disease on the national health care system (in terms of length of hospitalization) and the distribution of the main surgical procedures performed for the treatment of the disease.