Exploring clinically relevant risk profiles in patients undergoing lumbar spinal fusion: a cohort study.

PURPOSE: To explore risk profiles of patients scheduled for lumbar spinal fusion (LSF) and their association with short-term recovery of patient after surgery. METHODS: Forty-nine patients scheduled for elective 1-3 level LSF between March 2019 and June 2020 were included. Patients underwent a preoperative risk screening, consisting of an anamnesis, questionnaires and physical performance tests. A latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to identify possible risk profiles within this population. RESULTS: Two risk profiles could be established: a fit and deconditioned risk profile. A significant between-profile difference was found in smoking status (p = 0.007), RAND36-PCS (p < 0.001), Timed Up and Go (TUG) (p < 0.001), de Morton Morbidity Index (DEMMI) (p < 0.001), finger floor distance (p = 0.050), motor control (p = 0.020) and steep ramp test (p = 0.005). Moreover, the fit risk profile had a significant shorter time to functional recovery (3.65 days versus 4.89 days, p = 0.013) and length of hospital stay (5.06 days versus 6.00 days, p = 0.008) compared to the deconditioned risk profile. No differences in complication rates between both risk profiles could be established. Allocation to a risk profile was associated with the functional recovery rate (p = 0.042), but not with LOS or complications. CONCLUSION: This study found a fit and deconditioned risk profile. The patients with a fit risk profile perceived a better quality of life, performed better in mobility, motor control, cardiopulmonary tests and showed also a significant shorter stay in the hospital and a shorter time to functional recovery. Preoperatively establishing a patient's risk profile could aid in perioperative care planning and preoperative decision-making.

An evaluation of the validity of the pre-operative oxygen uptake efficiency slope as an indicator of cardiorespiratory fitness in elderly patients scheduled for major colorectal surgery.

This study aimed to investigate the validity of the oxygen uptake efficiency slope as an objective and submaximal indicator of cardiorespiratory fitness in elderly patients scheduled for major colorectal surgery. Patients ≥ 60 years of age, with a metabolic equivalent score using the Veterans Activity Questionnaire ≤ 7 and scheduled for major colorectal surgery participated in a pre-operative cardiopulmonary exercise test. The oxygen uptake efficiency slope was calculated up to different exercise intensities, using 100%, 90% and 80% of the exercise data. Data from 71 patients (47 men, mean (SD) age 75.2 (6.7) years) were analysed. The efficiency slope obtained from all the data was statistically significantly different from the values when 90% (p = 0.027) and 80% (p = 0.023) of the data were used. The 90% and 80% values did not differ significantly from each other (p = 0.152). Correlations between the oxygen uptake efficiency slope and the peak oxygen uptake ranged from 0.816 to 0.825 (all p < 0.001), and correlations between oxygen uptake efficiency slope and the ventilatory anaerobic threshold ranged from 0.793 to 0.805 (all p < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curves showed that the oxygen uptake efficiency slope is a sensitive and specific predictor of a peak oxygen uptake ≤ 18.2 ml.kg-1 .min-1 , with an area under the curve (95%CI) of 0.876 (0.780-0.972, p < 0.001) and a ventilatory anaerobic threshold ≤ 11.1 ml.kg-1 .min-1 , with an area under the curve (95%CI) of 0.828 (0.726-0.929, p < 0.001). These correlations suggest that the oxygen uptake efficiency slope provides a valid (sub)maximal measure of cardiorespiratory fitness in these patients, and the predictive ability described indicates that it might help discriminate patients at higher risk of postoperative morbidity. However, future research should investigate the prognostic value of the oxygen uptake efficiency slope for postoperative outcomes.

What preoperative patient-related factors predict inpatient recovery of physical functioning and length of stay after total hip arthroplasty? A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the preoperative patient-related characteristics predicting inpatient recovery of functioning and/or length of hospital stay after elective primary total hip arthroplasty. DESIGN: A search was conducted of the electronic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL from inception through April 2014. Observational studies were selected for systematic review if they identified clinically relevant preoperative prognostic factors and reported an association between inpatient recovery of physical functioning and/or length of hospital stay. Study participants were adults undergoing an elective primary total hip arthroplasty. RESULTS: Fourteen studies were included, a total of 199,410 individual total hip arthroplasty procedures. Two studies investigated inpatient recovery of physical functioning, no strong level of evidence was found for a relationship between functional recovery and any of the preoperative predictors. Twelve studies investigated the length of hospital stay and reported 19 preoperative prognostic factors. A strong level of evidence suggested that higher scores on the American Society of Anaesthesiologists assessment (OR 3.34 to 6.22, +0.20 days), increased number of comorbidities (RR of 1.10, +0.59 to 1.61 days), presence of heart disease, (RR of 1.59, +0.26 days), and presence of lung disease (RR of 1.30, +0.34 days) were associated with longer lengths of hospital stay following total hip arthroplasty. CONCLUSION: For the prediction of inpatient recovery of physical functioning no factors with a strong level of evidence were found. For length of stay there was a strong level of evidence for the American Society of Anaesthesiologists score, number of comorbidities, and presence of heart or lung disease.

The association of pre-operative physical fitness and physical activity with outcome after scheduled major abdominal surgery.

We studied whether reported physical activity and measurements of fitness (hand, leg and inspiration) were associated with postoperative in-hospital mortality, length of stay and discharge destination in 169 patients after major oncological abdominal surgery. In multivariate analysis, adequate activity level (OR 5.5, 95% CI 1.4-21.9) and inspiratory muscle endurance (OR 5.2, 95% CI 1.4-19.1) were independently associated with short-term mortality, whereas conventional factors, such as age and heart disease, were not. Adequate activity level (OR 6.7, 95% CI 1.4-3.0) was also independently associated with discharge destination. The factors that were independently associated with a shorter length of hospital stay were as follows: absence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (HR 0.6, 95% CI 0.3-1.1); adequate activity level (HR 0.6, 95% CI 0.4-0.8); and inspiratory muscle strength (HR 0.6, 95% CI 0.5-0.9). For all postoperative outcomes physical activity and fitness significantly improved the predictive value compared with known risk factors, such as age and comorbidities. We conclude that pre-operative questionnaires of physical activity and measurements of fitness contribute to the prediction of postoperative outcomes.

Determinants of participation in patients with severe haemophilia.

The multifactorial nature of disability makes it difficult to point out a specific cause for limitations in participation. The conceptual framework of the WHO-ICF (International Classification of Function, Disability and Health) was used to study the determinants participation in patients with severe haemophilia. Outcome was assessed in a single-centre cohort of 124 patients with severe haemophilia. Joint mobility and muscle strength of the elbows, knees and ankles, in combination with recent X-ray findings (N = 39 only) and the MPQ-DLV pain questionnaire were used to assess Body Functions and Structures. Four performance-based functional tasks and the HAL questionnaire were used to assess Activities. The IPA questionnaire was used to assess Participation. Stepwise and hierarchical regression analysis adjusted for age and psychological health (Dutch-AIMS 2) was used to associate the various domains of the ICF. Irrespective of age, joint mobility was an important factor in explaining self-reported and performance-based activities. Muscle strength had no significant association with participation. Self-reported activities showed a stronger association with participation than performance-based activities. Adjusted for age and psychological health, joint mobility and pain explained none of the variation in participation. Self-reported activities, however, significantly contributed in explaining participation (25%), whereas performance-based activities (3%) did not. This study adds to the knowledge of determinants of participation in haemophilia. As the currently used instruments on joint status and activities only partially explain differences in participation, this aspect of clinical outcome should be included to fully assess outcome in haemophilia.

Preoperative therapeutic programme for elderly patients scheduled for elective abdominal oncological surgery: a randomized controlled pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: Investigation of the feasibility and preliminary effect of a short-term intensive preoperative exercise programme for elderly patients scheduled for elective abdominal oncological surgery. DESIGN: Single-blind randomized controlled pilot study. SETTING: Ordinary hospital in the Netherlands. SUBJECTS: Forty-two elderly patients (>60 years). INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly assigned to receive a short-term intensive therapeutic exercise programme to improve muscle strength, aerobic capacity, and functional activities, given in the outpatient department (intervention group; n =22), or home-based exercise advice (control group; n=20). MAIN MEASURES: Parameters of feasibility, preoperative functional capacity and postoperative course. RESULTS: The intensive training programme was feasible, with a high compliance and no adverse events. Respiratory muscle endurance increased in the preoperative period from 259 +/- 273 to 404 +/- 349 J in the intervention group and differed significantly from that in the control group (350 +/- 299 to 305 +/- 323 J; P<0.01). Timed-Up-and-Go, chair rise time, LASA Physical Activity Questionnaire, Physical Work Capacity and Quality of Life (EORTC-C30) did not reveal significant differences between the two groups. There was no significant difference in postoperative complications and length of hospital stay between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The intensive therapeutic exercise programme was feasible and improved the respiratory function of patients due to undergo elective abdominal surgery compared with home-based exercise advice.

The impact of waiting for total joint replacement on pain and functional status: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically describe changes in pain and functioning in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) awaiting total joint replacement (TJR), and to assess determinants of this change. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and Cochrane Database were searched through June 2008. The reference lists of eligible publications were reviewed. Studies that monitored pain and functioning in patients with hip or knee OA during the waiting list for TJR were analyzed. Data were collected with a pre-specified collection tool. Methodological quality was assessed and a best-evidence analysis was performed to summarize results. RESULTS: Fifteen studies, of which two were of high quality, were included and involved 788 hip and 858 knee patients (mean age 59-72 and main wait 42-399 days). There was strong evidence that pain (in hip and knee OA) and self-reported functioning (in hip OA) do not deteriorate during a <180 days wait. Conflicting evidence was established for the change on self-reported functioning in patients with knee OA waiting <180 days. Moreover, strong evidence was found for an association between the female gender and intensified pain. CONCLUSION: Patients with OA do not experience deterioration in pain or self-reported functional status whilst waiting <180 days for TJR. Changes over a longer waiting period are unclear. To strengthen and complement the present evidence, further high-quality studies are needed, in which preferably also performance-based measures are used.

Promoting the use of outcome measures by an educational programme for physiotherapists in stroke rehabilitation: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of tutor expertise on the uptake of a physiotherapists' educational programme intended to promote the use of outcome measures in the management of patients with stroke. DESIGN: Pilot randomized controlled trial. METHODS: Thirty physiotherapists involved in stroke management were randomized into two groups and participated in five tutor-guided educational sessions (the Physiotherapists' Educational Programme on Clinimetrics in Stroke, PEPCiS). Groups differed from each other with respect to tutors: one experienced and one inexperienced in stroke care. Primary outcome was 'actual use' (the frequencies of data of seven recommended outcome measures in the patient records of the participating physiotherapists). RESULTS: The actual use of instruments shifted from a median of 3 to 6 in the expert tutor group and from 3 to 4 in the non-expert tutor group (P = 0.07). Physiotherapists educated by the expert tutor used a broader variety of instruments and appreciated the educational programme, their own knowledge gain and all three scales of tutor style aspects significantly more than their colleagues of the non-expert tutor group (all P<0.05). Univariate analysis on the entire set of data revealed eight factors, including tutors' performance, that were associated with a change score of the use of two or more outcome measures by individual physiotherapists after the educational programme. CONCLUSION: In this pilot trial it was not proven that tutor expertise in stroke care influences the actual use of outcome measures, but it warrants a future study with sufficient power to investigate the influence of the tutor.

Advocacy for use of the modified Iowa Level of Assistance Scale for clinical use in patients after hip replacement: an observational study.

OBJECTIVES: To test the internal consistency and item difficulty of the modified Iowa Level of Assistance Scale (mILAS). DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. SETTING: Two orthopaedic wards of two general hospitals. PARTICIPANTS: Following elective primary unilateral total hip replacement surgery, all participants performed mILAS activities that were scored daily to assess their recovery of activities during hospitalisation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The internal consistency and the level of assistance needed by the patient (item difficulty) of the mILAS were calculated using data from Deventer Hospital, Deventer, the Netherlands (n=255). A cross-validation was performed using data from Nij Smellinghe Hospital, Drachten, the Netherlands (n=224). RESULTS: The internal consistency of the mILAS was acceptable on all three postoperative days (α=0.84 to 0.97). Cronbach's α and Rasch analysis revealed a misfit of stair climbing with the other items of the mILAS. The item difficulty of the mILAS items changed over the first two postoperative days. During the first three postoperative days, the sit to supine transfer was generally the most difficult item to achieve, and the sit to stand transfer was the least difficult item to achieve as rated by physiotherapists. The cross-validation analysis revealed similar results. CONCLUSIONS: The mILAS is a clinically sound measurement tool to assess the ability of patients to perform five functional tasks safely during hospitalisation. Stair climbing appears to be the easiest item to complete, and the sit to supine transfer is generally the most difficult after surgery.

Action potential simulation (APS) in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS): a controlled single subject experimental design.

OBJECTIVES: Action potential simulation (APS) is becoming a popular method of pain reduction. Nevertheless, little is known about the efficacy of this relatively new treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate whether APS helps to reduce pain, improves patients' perception of daily functioning and social participation in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten patients with FMS according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria entered this double blind crossover single-case study. In a period of 20 weeks, the patients underwent two treatment periods of 4 weeks, one with verum and one with placebo, at random, in a double blind fashion. Outcome measures were evaluated on a weekly basis. Primary outcome measure was pain measured with the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) questions 4 and 5, the number of tender points and the total tender point pain intensity score. Both visual inspection and statistical analysis were done to analyse the data from this single-subject design. RESULTS: Performing visual inspection and statistical analysis, no positive results of the APS treatment were found in this study. Remarkable is the fact that placebo APS had significantly better results than verum APS. CONCLUSIONS: In this single-case study with ten patients (all female), APS was not a helpful method to reduce pain, to improve patients' perception of daily functioning and social participation in patients with FMS.

The development of a clinical practice stroke guideline for physiotherapists in The Netherlands: a systematic review of available evidence.

PURPOSE: To develop a clinical practice guideline for the physiotherapy management of patients with stroke as support for the clinical decision-making process, especially with respect to the selection of appropriate interventions, prognostic factors and outcome measures. INTRODUCTION: Physiotherapists have a high caseload of patients with stroke, so there is a need to identify effective evidence-based physiotherapy procedures. The availability of a guideline that includes information about prognostic factors, interventions, and outcome measures would facilitate clinical decision-making. METHOD: A systematic computerized literature search was performed to identify evidence concerning the use of: (i) prognostic factors related to functional recovery; (ii) physiotherapy interventions in patients with stroke; and (iii) outcome measures to assess patients' progress in functional health. Experts, physiotherapists working in the field of stroke rehabilitation, and a multidisciplinary group of health professionals reviewed the clinical applicability and feasibility of the recommendations for clinical practice and their comments were used to compose the definitive guideline. RESULTS: Of 9482 relevant articles, 322 were selected. These were screened for methodological quality. Seventy-two recommendations for clinical practice were retrieved from these articles and included in the guideline: Six recommendations concerned the prediction of functional recovery of activities of daily living (ADL), including walking ability and hand/arm use; 65 recommendations concerned the choice of physiotherapy interventions; and 1 recommendation concerned the choice of outcome instrument to use. A core set of seven reliable, responsive, and valid outcome measures was established, to determine impairments and activity limitations in patients with stroke. CONCLUSIONS: The guideline provides physiotherapists with an evidence-based instrument to assist them in their clinical decision making regarding patients with stroke. As most of the recommendations included in the guideline came from studies of patients in the post acute and chronic phase of stroke, and in general involved patients with less severe and uncomplicated stroke, more needs to be learned about the more complex cases.

[Fewer lung complications following inspiratory muscle training in patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery: a randomized trial]. / Minder longcomplicaties door ademspiertraining bij patiënten die een coronaire bypassoperatie moeten ondergaan: een gerandomiseerde trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prophylactic efficacy of preoperative physiotherapy, including inspiratory muscle training (IMT), on the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) in high-risk patients scheduled for elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). DESIGN: Randomized controlled clinical trial (www.controlled-trials. com/isrctn17691887). METHOD: Of 655 patients referred to a university medical centre in The Netherlands for elective CABG, 299 met the criteria for being at high risk of developing PPCs. A total of 279 were enrolled and monitored up to discharge from hospital. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either preoperative IMT (n=140) or usual care (n=139). Both groups received the same postoperative treatment. RESULTS: Both groups were comparable at baseline. Before CABG, 2 control group patients and 1 IMT group patient died. After CABG surgery, PPCs were present in 25 (18%) of 139 patients in the IMT group and 48 (35%) of 137 patients in the control group (OR: 0.52; 95% CI: 0.30-0.92). Pneumonia occurred in 9 (6.5%) of 139 patients in the IMT group and in 22 (16.1%) of 137 patients in the usual care group (OR: 0.40; 95% CI: 0.19-0.84). Mean duration of postoperative hospitalization was 7 (range 5-41) days in the IMT group versus 8 (range 6-70) days in the usual care group (Mann-Whitney test; Z: -2.42; p = 0.015). CONCLUSION: Preoperative physiotherapy, including IMT, statistically significantly reduced the incidence ofPPCs and the duration ofpostoperative hospitalization in patients at high risk of developing a pulmonary complication on undergoing CABG.

Effects of a pre-operative home-based inspiratory muscle training programme on perceived health-related quality of life in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Pre-operative inspiratory muscle training has been shown to decrease the incidence of postoperative pneumonia and length of hospital stay in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). This study investigated if this decrease acted as a mediator on the time course of quality of life. DESIGN: Complementary analyses of a published randomised controlled trial. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: The initial trial included patients awaiting CABG surgery at a Dutch university hospital. The secondary analyses used data from the initial trial for patients who had completed at least one quality-of-life questionnaire. METHODS: Participants were allocated at random to the intervention group or the usual care group. The intervention group followed a home-based pre-operative inspiratory muscle training programme. Quality of life was measured at five time points. Between-group differences in quality-of-life scores were analysed using mixed linear modelling. RESULTS: The secondary analyses used data for 235 patients. In line with the initial trial, pneumonia and length of hospital stay were decreased significantly in the intervention group. The time courses for all patients showed significant improvements in quality of life after surgery compared with baseline. No significant differences in quality of life were observed over time between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Despite decreased incidence of pneumonia and length of hospital stay in the intervention group, this study did not find any improvements in quality of life due to the pre-operative home-based inspiratory muscle training programme. Clinical trial registration number ISRCTN17691887.

Pre-operative functional mobility as an independent determinant of inpatient functional recovery after total knee arthroplasty during three periods that coincided with changes in clinical pathways.

AIMS: To investigate whether pre-operative functional mobility is a determinant of delayed inpatient recovery of activities (IRoA) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in three periods that coincided with changes in the clinical pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients (n = 682, 73% women, mean age 70 years, standard deviation 9) scheduled for TKA between 2009 and 2015 were pre-operatively screened for functional mobility by the Timed-up-and-Go test (TUG) and De Morton mobility index (DEMMI). The cut-off point for delayed IRoA was set on the day that 70% of the patients were recovered, according to the Modified Iowa Levels of Assistance Scale (mILAS) (a 5-item activity scale). In a multivariable logistic regression analysis, we added either the TUG or the DEMMI to a reference model including established determinants. RESULTS: Both the TUG (Odds Ratio (OR) 1.10 per second, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.06 to 1.15) and the DEMMI (OR 0.96 per point on the 100-point scale, 95% CI 0.95 to 0.98) were statistically significant determinants of delayed IRoA in a model that also included age, BMI, ASA score and ISAR score. These associations did not depend on the time period during which the TKA took place, as assessed by tests for interaction. CONCLUSION: Functional mobility, as assessed pre-operatively by the TUG and DEMMI, is an independent and stable determinant of delayed inpatient recovery of activities after TKA. Future research, focusing on improvement of pre-operative functional mobility through tailored physiotherapy intervention, should indicate whether such intervention enhances post-operative recovery among high-risk patients. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:211-17.

The association between performance parameters of physical fitness and postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing colorectal surgery: An evaluation of care data.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative cardiorespiratory fitness, as measured by cardiopulmonary testing or estimated using the less sophisticated incremental shuttle walk test, timed up-and-go test or stair climb test is known to be associated with postoperative outcome. This study aimed to evaluate whether parameters of physical fitness are associated with postoperative outcome in patients with colorectal cancer scheduled for elective resection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Perioperative data of patients who underwent colorectal resection at Maastricht University Medical Center were retrospectively analyzed. Preoperative variables (e.g., age, body mass index, comorbidities, physical fitness, tumour characteristics, neoadjuvant treatment, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, level of perceived fatigue and nutritional status) were compared with postoperative outcomes. RESULTS: Out of 80 consecutive cases, 75 (93.8%) were available for analysis (57.3% male, median ± interquartile range age 69.2 ± 11.7 years). A higher Charlson comorbidity index (odds ratio (OR) of 1.604, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.120-2.296), worse functional exercise capacity (in meters, OR of 0.995, 95% CI 0.991-1.000), a lower physical activity level (in min/day, OR of 0.994, 95% CI 0.988-1.000), and a higher level of perceived fatigue (OR of 1.047, 95% CI 1.016-1.078), were associated with a slower time to recovery of physical functioning. A better functional exercise capacity was associated with a lower OR (OR of 0.995, 95% CI 0.991-1.000) for non-surgical complications. CONCLUSION: There is an association between preoperative parameters and postoperative outcomes in patients with colorectal cancer scheduled for resection. Patients benefit from an optimal preoperative physical fitness level. Specific interventions can target this physical fitness level.

Feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a physical exercise training program during neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in individual patients with rectal cancer prior to major elective surgery.

BACKGROUND: Diverse fractions of patients with locally advanced resectable rectal cancer receive neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACRT). NACRT is known to decrease physical fitness, an undesirable side effect. This pilot aimed to determine the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a supervised outpatient physical exercise training program during NACRT in these patients. METHODS: We included 13 out of 20 eligible patients (11 males, mean ± SD age: 59.1 ± 19.7 years) with rectal cancer who participated in the exercise training program during NACRT. Feasibility was determined by adherence and number of adverse events. Physical fitness was compared at baseline (B), after five (T1) and ten weeks (T2) of training, and eight weeks postoperatively (T3) using repeated-measures analysis of variance. RESULTS: Nine patients (69.2%) completed the program without adverse events. Four patients dropped out. The program was feasible and safe, with a total attendance rate of 95.7%. Leg muscle strength (mean ± SD: 104.0 ± 32.3 versus 144.8 ± 45.6 kg; P < 0.001) and arm muscle strength (mean ± SD: 48.7 ± 13.8 kg versus 36.1 ± 11.0 kg, P = 0.002) increased significantly between B and T2, respectively. A slight, non-significant, increase in functional exercise capacity was found. CONCLUSION: This pilot demonstrated that a supervised outpatient physical exercise training program for individual patients with locally advanced resectable rectal cancer during NACRT is feasible for a large part of the patients, safe and seems able to prevent an often seen decline in physical fitness during NACRT. A larger study into the cost-effectiveness of this approach is warranted.

What augmented physical activity and empowerment can bring to patients receiving total knee replacement: content, implementation, and comparative effectiveness of a new function-tailored care pathway in a routine care setting.

BACKGROUND: In the routine setting of the 20-bed orthopaedic ward of a regional hospital in Netherlands, we developed, implemented, and evaluated a new, function-tailored perioperative care pathway for patients receiving total knee replacement (TKR), aimed at faster functional recovery by reduction of inactivity and stimulation of self-efficacy of the patients. METHODS: To assess effectiveness, we compared, using prospectively collected data from medical files, patient groups before (n = 127) and after (n = 108) introduction of the new care pathway with respect to time to recovery of physical functioning during hospitalisation (five milestones), length of hospital stay (LoS), referrals to an inpatient rehabilitation facility, and readmissions. Multivariable regression was used to adjust results for differences between the two groups in preoperatively assessed risk factors for delayed recovery. RESULTS: Comparison of patient groups before (n = 127) and after (n = 108) introduction of the tailored care pathway showed that the tailored rehabilitation pathway decreased the time to recovery of physical functioning (from 4.5 to 4.1 days, P < 0.05), the mean LoS (from 5.2 days to 4.2 days, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that the introduction of a function-tailored care pathway shortens the hospital stay and accelerates the recovery of physical functioning.