Effectiveness of rehabilitation for working-age patients after a total hip arthroplasty: a comparison of usual care between the Netherlands and Germany.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative rehabilitation after primary total hip arthroplasty (p-THA) differs between the Netherlands and Germany. Aim is to compare clinical effectiveness and to get a first impression of cost effectiveness of Dutch versus German usual care after p-THA. METHODS: A transnational prospective controlled observational trial. Clinical effectiveness was assessed with self-reported questionnaires and functional tests. Measurements were taken preoperatively and 4 weeks, 12 weeks, and 6 months postoperatively. For cost effectiveness, long-term economic aspects were assessed from a societal perspective. RESULTS: 124 working-age patients finished the measurements. German usual care leads to a significantly larger proportion (65.6% versus 47.5%) of satisfied patients 12 weeks postoperatively and significantly better self-reported function and Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test (FTSST) results. German usual care is generally 45% more expensive than Dutch usual care, and 20% more expensive for working-age patients. A scenario analysis assumed that German patients work the same number of hours as the Dutch, and that productivity costs are the same. This analysis revealed German care is still more expensive but the difference decreased to 8%. CONCLUSIONS: German rehabilitation is clinically advantageous yet more expensive, although comparisons are less straightforward as the socioeconomic context differs between the two countries. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study is registered in the German Registry of Clinical Trials (DRKS00011345, 18/11/2016).

A Second Surgical Debridement for Acute Periprosthetic Joint Infections Should Not Be Discarded.

BACKGROUND: In acute periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs), a second surgical debridement (debridement, antibiotics, and implant retention [DAIR]) is generally not recommended after a failed first one. We identified the failure rate of a second DAIR and aimed to identify patients in whom an additional debridement might still be beneficial. METHODS: Patients with acute PJI of the hip or knee and treated with DAIR between 2006 and 2016 were retrospectively evaluated. A second DAIR was routinely performed provided that the soft tissue was intact. Failure of a second DAIR was described as (1) the need for additional surgical intervention to achieve infection control, (2) the need for antibiotic suppressive therapy due to persistent clinical and/or biochemical signs of infection, or (3) PJI related death. RESULTS: From the 455 cases treated with DAIR, 144 cases underwent a second debridement (34.6%). Thirty-seven cases failed (37/144, 25.7%). The implant needed to be removed in 23 cases (23/144, 16%). Positive cultures during the second DAIR (odds ratio 3.16, 95% confidence interval 1.29-7.74) and chronic renal insufficiency (odds ratio 13.6, 95% confidence interval 2.03-91.33) were independent predictors for failure in the multivariate analysis. No difference in failure was observed between persistent infection with the same microorganism and reinfection with a new microorganism (failure rate 31.6% vs 34.6%, P = .83). CONCLUSION: A second DAIR had a low failure rate in our cohort of patients and the implant could be retained in the majority of them. Therefore, a second DAIR should not be discarded in acute PJIs.

Predicting Failure in Early Acute Prosthetic Joint Infection Treated With Debridement, Antibiotics, and Implant Retention: External Validation of the KLIC Score.

BACKGROUND: Debridement, antibiotics, and implant retention (DAIR) is a widely used treatment modality for early acute prosthetic joint infection (PJI). A preoperative risk score was previously designed for predicting DAIR failure, consisting of chronic renal failure (K), liver cirrhosis (L), index surgery (I), cemented prosthesis (C), and C-reactive protein >115 mg/L (KLIC). The aim of this study was to validate the KLIC score in an external cohort. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated patients with early acute PJI treated with DAIR between 2006 and 2016 in 3 Dutch hospitals. Early acute PJI was defined as <21 days of symptoms and DAIR performed within 90 days after index surgery. Failure was defined as the need for (1) second DAIR, (2) implant removal, (3) suppressive antimicrobial treatment, or (4) infection-related death within 60 days after debridement. RESULTS: A total of 386 patients were included. Failure occurred in 148 patients (38.3%). Patients with KLIC scores of ≤2, 2.5-3.5, 4-5, 5.5-6.5, and ≥7 had failure rates of 27.9%, 37.1%, 49.3%, 54.5%, and 85.7%, respectively (P < .001). The receiver-operating characteristic curve showed an area under the curve of 0.64 (95% confidence interval 0.59-0.69). A KLIC score higher than 6 points showed a specificity of 97.9%. CONCLUSION: The KLIC score is a relatively good preoperative risk score for DAIR failure in patients with early acute PJI and appears to be most useful in clinical practice for patients with low or high KLIC scores.

Effect of preoperative duloxetine treatment on postoperative chronic residual pain after total hip or knee arthroplasty: a randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: A key predictor for developing chronic residual pain after total knee or hip arthroplasty (TKA/THA) is sensitisation. Sensitisation can be defined as an 'increased responsiveness of nociceptive neurons in the nervous system'. Aim of this study is to investigate the effects of preoperative treatment with duloxetine in sensitised knee and hip osteoarthritis (OA) patients on postoperative chronic residual pain up to 1 year after arthroplasty. SETTING: A multicentre, pragmatic, prospective, randomised clinical trial was conducted in three secondary care hospitals in the Netherlands. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with primary knee/hip OA who were planned for TKA/THA were screened using the modified painDETECT Questionnaire. Patients whose painDETECT score indicated that sensitisation may be present were eligible for participation. 111 participants were included and randomly assigned 1:1 to an intervention or control group. The intervention group received additional duloxetine treatment, the control group did not receive any additional treatment but was allowed to continue with any pain medication they were already taking. INTERVENTIONS: Preoperative oral treatment for 7 weeks with 60 mg/day of duloxetine was compared with usual care. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome measure was pain at 6 months after arthroplasty, assessed with the Pain Subscale of the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) or the Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS) with a 0-100 scale. Secondary outcome measures were Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and neuropathic-like pain measured using the modified PainDETECT Questionnaire. Longitudinal data collection included time points directly after duloxetine treatment, 1-day preoperatively, and 6 weeks, 6 months and 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Mean improvement in the KOOS/HOOS pain subscale at 6 months postoperatively was 37 (SD 28.1) in the intervention group and 43 (SD 26.5) in the control group. No statistically significant difference was found in change score 6 months postoperatively between the two groups (p=0.280). 12 patients from the intervention group (21%) discontinued duloxetine due to adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative targeted treatment with duloxetine in end-stage knee and hip OA patients with sensitisation does not influence postoperative chronic residual pain after TKA/THA. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NTR4744.

Detection of gait and postures using a miniaturized triaxial accelerometer-based system: accuracy in patients with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether gait and postures can accurately be detected with a single small body-fixed device in patients with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease (PD). DESIGN: Results of a triaxial accelerometer-based method were evaluated against video observation scores (criterion measure). Study 1: Subjects performed basic mobility-related activities (walking, lying, sitting, standing) in a fixed and free sequence. Study 2: Subjects were monitored while doing similar activities as in study 1 and while doing usual domestic activities. SETTING: Study 1: Standardized set-up in a movement laboratory. Study 2: Home environment. PARTICIPANTS: (N=37) Study 1: Patients with PD (n=32; mean age +/- SD, 67.3+/-6.6y; mean disease duration +/- SD, 6.1+/-3.4y). Study 2: Patients with PD (n=5; mean age +/- SD, 76.0+/-7.3y; mean disease duration +/- SD, 3.8+/-4.7y). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The degree of correspondence between the monitor and the video observation for the duration of each activity. Overall agreement, sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive values were calculated. RESULTS: Study 1: Overall agreement ranged between 69.8% and 90.8% (fixed sequence) and 57.5% and 96.9% (free sequence). Study 2: Overall agreement ranged between 60.0% and 89.2%. Lying, sitting (home), and walking were detected most accurately with mean sensitivity varying from 81.7% to 99.9%. Lower values were found for sitting (laboratory), standing, and shuffling. CONCLUSIONS: This triaxial monitor system is a practical and valuable tool for objective, continuous evaluation of walking and postures in patients with mild to moderate PD. Detection of sitting and standing requires further fine-tuning.

Effectiveness of a Home-Based Rehabilitation Program After Total Hip Arthroplasty Driven by a Tablet App and Remote Coaching: Nonrandomized Controlled Trial Combining a Single-Arm Intervention Cohort With Historical Controls.

BACKGROUND: Recent technological developments such as wearable sensors and tablets with a mobile internet connection hold promise for providing electronic health home-based programs with remote coaching for patients following total hip arthroplasty. It can be hypothesized that such a home-based rehabilitation program can offer an effective alternative to usual care. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a home-based rehabilitation program driven by a tablet app and remote coaching for patients following total hip arthroplasty. METHODS: Existing data of two studies were combined, in which patients of a single-arm intervention study were matched with historical controls of an observational study. Patients aged 18-65 years who had undergone total hip arthroplasty as a treatment for primary or secondary osteoarthritis were included. The intervention consisted of a 12-week home-based rehabilitation program with video instructions on a tablet and remote coaching (intervention group). Patients were asked to do strengthening and walking exercises at least 5 days a week. Data of the intervention group were compared with those of patients who received usual care (control group). Effectiveness was measured at four moments (preoperatively, and 4 weeks, 12 weeks, and 6 months postoperatively) by means of functional tests (Timed Up & Go test and the Five Times Sit-to Stand Test) and self-reported questionnaires (Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score [HOOS] and Short Form 36 [SF-36]). Each patient of the intervention group was matched with two patients of the control group. Patient characteristics were summarized with descriptive statistics. The 1:2 matching situation was analyzed with a conditional logistic regression. Effect sizes were calculated by Cohen d. RESULTS: Overall, 15 patients of the intervention group were included in this study, and 15 and 12 subjects from the control group were matched to the intervention group, respectively. The intervention group performed functional tests significantly faster at 12 weeks and 6 months postoperatively. The intervention group also scored significantly higher on the subscales "function in sport and recreational activities" and "hip-related quality of life" of HOOS, and on the subscale "physical role limitations" of SF-36 at 12 weeks and 6 months postoperatively. Large effect sizes were found on functional tests at 12 weeks and at 6 months (Cohen d=0.5-1.2), endorsed by effect sizes on the self-reported outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Our results clearly demonstrate larger effects in the intervention group compared to the historical controls. These results imply that a home-based rehabilitation program delivered by means of internet technology after total hip arthroplasty can be more effective than usual care. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03846063; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03846063 and German Registry of Clinical Trials DRKS00011345; https://tinyurl.com/yd32gmdo.

Validity of the Dutch modified painDETECT questionnaire for patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND: The modified painDETECT questionnaire (PDQ) is a self-reported questionnaire to discriminate between nociceptive and neuropathic-like pain in patients with knee/hip osteoarthritis (OA). This study aims to assess the structural and construct validity of this questionnaire. METHODS: Confirmatory factor analysis and hypothesis-testing was used. For 168 patients, predefined hypotheses were formulated on the correlation between the modified painDETECT and several other questionnaires, and in a subsample of 46 with pain pressure thresholds (PPTs). RESULTS: Two principal components were confirmed. The pain pattern item did not load on any component. Eighty per cent of the hypotheses on the correlation between modified PDQ and the questionnaires were met, as were 50% concerning PPTs measurements. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to assess structural and construct validity of the modified PDQ knee/hip by using factor analysis and hypothesis-testing. This questionnaire seems to reflect neuropathic-like pain symptoms experienced by hip/knee OA-patients with adequate validity. The item on pain pattern might not reflect the construct. More than 75% of the predefined hypotheses regarding the modified PDQ and the other questionnaires were met. Only 50% of the hypotheses on PPTs measurements were met, probably due to heterogeneity and limited size of this subsample. Implications for rehabilitation Pain in osteoarthritis (OA) is partly caused by modification of pain transmission in the peripheral and central nervous system, leading to sensitisation. This process seems particularly significant in a subgroup of OA patients. Sensitisation in OA is associated with more disability in daily life, lower quality of life and more widespread pain, as well as poorer outcome of total joint surgery. Screening for sensitisation can help to identify the subgroup of patients who could benefit from multidisciplinary treatment options focussing on desensitisation, cognitive- and behavioural therapy and reducing chronification of widespread pain. Therefore, being particularly important in the field of rehabilitation. The Dutch modified PainDETECT-questionnaire is very useful for rehabilitation professionals as it is one of the first questionnaires specifically validated to assess neuropathic-like symptoms (indicating sensitisation) in patients with knee or hip osteoarthritis.

An observational study on intracutaneous sodium storage in intensive care patients and controls.

The development of ICU-acquired sodium disturbances is not fully understood. Alterations in non-osmotic skin sodium storage, hypothetically inflammation-driven, could play a role. To investigate this in critically ill patients we conducted a patient-control study with skin punch biopsies in patients with sepsis (n = 15), after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG, n = 15) and undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA-controls, n = 15) respectively, together representing a range in severity of systemic inflammation. Biopsies were taken within 24 hours (sepsis) and within 2 hours (CABG) after ICU-admission, and prior to arthroplasty. Biopsies were analysed for sodium content. In addition immunostainings and quantitative real time PCR were performed. The primary aim of this study was to detect possible differences in amounts of cutaneous sodium. The secondary aims were to quantify inflammation and lymphangiogenesis with concomitant markers. The highest amounts of both water and sodium were found in patients with sepsis, with slightly lower values after CABG and the lowest amounts in THA-controls. Correlation between water and sodium was 0.5 (p<0.01). In skin biopsies in all groups comparable amounts of macrophages, T-cells and lymph vessels were found. In all groups comparable expression of inflammation markers were found. However, higher mRNA transcript expression levels of markers of lymphangiogenesis were found in patients with sepsis and after CABG. The conjoint accumulation of water and sodium points towards oedema formation. However, the correlation coefficient of 0.5 leaves room for alternative explanations, including non-osmotic sodium storage. No signs of dermal inflammation were found, but upregulation of markers of lymphangiogenesis could indicate future lymphangiogenesis.

Feasibility and Patient Experience of a Home-Based Rehabilitation Program Driven by a Tablet App and Mobility Monitoring for Patients After a Total Hip Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Recent developments in technology are promising for providing home-based exercise programs. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and patient experience of a home-based rehabilitation program after total hip arthroplasty (THA) delivered using videos on a tablet personal computer (PC) and a necklace-worn motion sensor to continuously monitor mobility-related activities. METHODS: We enrolled 30 independently living patients aged 18-75 years who had undergone THA as a treatment for primary or secondary osteoarthritis (OA) between December 2015 and February 2017. Patients followed a 12-week exercise program with video instructions on a tablet PC and daily physical activity registration through a motion sensor. Patients were asked to do strengthening and walking exercises at least 5 days a week. There was weekly phone contact with a physiotherapist. Adherence and technical problems were recorded during the intervention. User evaluation was done in week 4 (T1) and at the end of the program (T2). RESULTS: Overall, 26 patients completed the program. Average adherence for exercising 5 times a week was 92%. Reasons mentioned most often for nonadherence were vacation or a day or weekend off 25% (33/134) and work 15% (20/134). The total number of technical issues was 8. The average score on the user evaluation questionnaire (range 0-5) was 4.6 at T1 and 4.5 at T2. The highest score was for the subscale "coaching" and the lowest for the subscale "sensor." CONCLUSIONS: A home-based rehabilitation program driven by a tablet app and mobility monitoring seems feasible for THA patients. Adherence was good and patient experience was positive. The novel technology was well accepted. When the home-based rehabilitation program proves to be effective, it could be used as an alternative to formal physiotherapy. However, further research on its effectiveness is needed.

Obese patients have higher rates of polymicrobial and Gram-negative early periprosthetic joint infections of the hip than non-obese patients.

BACKGROUND: Obese patients are more likely to develop periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) after primary total joint arthroplasty. This study compared the clinical and microbiological characteristics of non-obese, obese and severely obese patients with early PJI, in order to ultimately optimize antibiotic prophylaxis and other prevention measures for this specific patient category. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated patients with early PJI of the hip and knee treated with debridement, antibiotics and implant retention (DAIR) between 2006 and 2016 in three Dutch hospitals. Only patients with primary arthroplasties indicated for osteoarthritis were included. Early PJI was defined as an infection that developed within 90 days after index surgery. Obesity was defined as a BMI ≥30kg/m2 and severe obesity as a BMI ≥35kg/m2. RESULTS: A total of 237 patients were analyzed, including 64 obese patients (27.0%) and 62 severely obese patients (26.2%). Compared with non-obese patients, obese patients had higher rates of polymicrobial infections (60.3% vs 33.3%, p<0.001) with more often involvement of Enterococcus species (27.0% vs 11.7%, p = 0.003). Moreover, severely obese patients had more Gram-negative infections, especially with Proteus species (12.9% vs 2.3%, p = 0.001). These results were only found in periprosthetic hip infections, comprising Gram-negative PJIs in 34.2% of severely obese patients compared with 24.7% in obese patients and 12.7% in non-obese patients (p = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that obese patients with early periprosthetic hip infections have higher rates of polymicrobial infections with enterococci and Gram-negative rods, which stresses the importance of improving preventive strategies in this specific patient category, by adjusting antibiotic prophylaxis regimens, improving disinfection strategies and optimizing postoperative wound care.

Detection of walking periods and number of steps in older adults and patients with Parkinson's disease: accuracy of a pedometer and an accelerometry-based method.

The aim of this study was to examine if walking periods and number of steps can accurately be detected by a single small body-fixed device in older adults and patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Results of an accelerometry-based method (DynaPort MicroMod) and a pedometer (Yamax Digi-Walker SW-200) worn on each hip were evaluated against video observation. Twenty older adults and 32 PD patients walked straight-line trajectories at different speeds, of different lengths and while doing secondary tasks in an indoor hallway. Accuracy of the instruments was expressed as absolute percentage error (older adults versus PD patients). Based on the video observation, a total of 236.8 min of gait duration and 24,713 steps were assessed. The DynaPort method predominantly overestimated gait duration (10.7 versus 11.1%) and underestimated the number of steps (7.4 versus 6.9%). Accuracy decreased significantly as walking distance decreased. Number of steps were also mainly underestimated by the pedometers, the left Yamax (6.8 versus 11.1%) being more accurate than the right Yamax (11.1 versus 16.3%). Step counting of both pedometers was significantly less accurate for short trajectories (3 or 5 m) and as walking pace decreased. It is concluded that the Yamax pedometer can be reliably used for this study population when walking at sufficiently high gait speeds (>1.0 m/s). The accelerometry-based method is less speed-dependent and proved to be more appropriate in the PD patients for walking trajectories of 5 m or more.

Neuropathic-like symptoms and the association with joint-specific function and quality of life in patients with hip and knee osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: There is an association between osteoarthritis-related pain severity and function, yet clear evidence about the sole influence of neuropathic-like symptoms on joint function and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is lacking. Previous studies among knee OA patients show an association between neuropathic-like symptoms, lower functional status and lower quality of life, however analyses were unadjusted or had limited adjustment for influential covariates like pain intensity. The aim of this study was therefore to determine the influence of neuropathic-like symptoms-adjusted for multiple influential covariates-on joint-specific function and HRQoL in hip and knee OA patients. METHODS: In this observational study 255 patients (117 with hip OA and 138 with knee OA) completed the modified painDETECT questionnaire (mPDQ) to identify subjects with neuropathic-like symptoms (mPDQ score>12, possible neuropathic pain [NP] phenotype). The WOMAC and the RAND-36 were used to asses respectively function and HRQoL. Results were adjusted stepwise for age, sex and BMI (Model 1); back disorder, painful body regions, comorbidities and previous surgery (Model 2); and pain intensity and analgesic usage (Model 3). RESULTS: A possible NP phenotype was experienced by 37% of hip and 46% of knee OA patients. Final model 3 analysis revealed that hip OA patients with neuropathic-like symptoms scored significantly lower on pain-related aspects of HRQoL (ΔRAND-36 bodily pain: 6.8 points, p = 0.047) compared to patients with the unlikely NP phenotype. In knee OA patients, a possible NP phenotype was associated with diminished joint function (ΔWOMAC domains ranging 7.1 to 10.5 points, p<0.05) and more deficits on the physical functional aspect of HRQoL (ΔRAND-36 physical functioning: 6.8 points, p = 0.016). CONCLUSION: Neuropathic-like symptoms deteriorate the subjective rating of pain-related quality of life in hip OA patients and significantly influence function in knee OA patients.

Effects of limited peripheral vision on shuttle sprint performance of soccer players.

This study examined the effect of limited peripheral vision on the shuttle sprint performance of soccer players. Participants were 14 male soccer players of a student soccer club (M age = 22.1 yr., SD = 1.3 yr.). They performed a repeated shuttle sprint with full and limited peripheral vision. Mean total sprint time and mean turning time increased significantly with limited peripheral vision. It is concluded that only turning during shuttle sprint performance decreases when sprinting with a restricted peripheral field of view, indicating the use of peripheral vision for the control of directional changes while sprinting.

The Modified painDETECT Questionnaire for Patients with Hip or Knee Osteoarthritis: Translation into Dutch, Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Reliability Assessment.

There is a growing amount of evidence that alteration in pain processing by the peripheral and central nervous system play a role in osteoarthritis pain, leading to neuropathic-like symptoms. It is essential to identify knee and hip osteoarthritis patients with a neuropathic pain profile in order to offer such patients education and additional treatment options besides conventional pain treatment. The painDETECT Questionnaire is a self-report questionnaire developed to discriminate between nociceptive and neuropathic pain. This questionnaire was modified to fit patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis. The aim of this study was to translate and cross-culturally adapt the modified painDETECT Questionnaire to the Dutch language and to provide a modified version to fit patients with hip osteoarthritis. Reliability for internal consistency, repeatability and floor and ceiling effects were subsequently assessed. A total of 278 patients were included in the reliability study and 123 patients in the repeatability analysis. The Dutch modified painDETECT Questionnaire shows good internal consistency and small relative measurement errors, represented by a good intraclass correlation coefficient. Absolute measurement error, represented by the Standard Error of Measurement, was acceptable. However, a measurement bias might be present when it comes to repeatability. To our knowledge, this study is the first to provide a Dutch modified painDETECT Questionnaire to fit hip and knee osteoarthritis patients and to assess internal consistency, reliability and agreement. International guidelines were followed in the translation process and this study has ample sample size with an adequate time interval for repeatability. Based on this study, the Dutch modified painDETECT Questionnaire seems to be fit as a discriminative tool to identify knee and hip osteoarthritis patients with a neuropathic pain profile. Whether it is also suitable as an evaluative tool to record changes over time or after an intervention remains open to further investigation.