Diagnostic validity and triage concordance of a physiotherapist compared to physicians' diagnoses for common knee disorders.

BACKGROUND: Emergence of more autonomous roles for physiotherapists warrants more evidence regarding their diagnostic capabilities. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate diagnostic and surgical triage concordance between a physiotherapist and expert physicians and to assess the diagnostic validity of the physiotherapist's musculoskeletal examination (ME) without imaging. METHODS: This is a prospective diagnostic study where 179 consecutive participants consulting for any knee complaint were independently diagnosed and triaged by two evaluators: a physiotherapist and one expert physician (orthopaedic surgeons or sport medicine physicians). The physiotherapist completed only a ME, while the physicians also had access to imaging to make their diagnosis. Raw agreement proportions and Cohen's kappa (k) were calculated to assess inter-rater agreement. Sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp), as well as positive and negative likelihood ratios (LR+/-) were calculated to assess the validity of the ME compared to the physicians' composite diagnosis. RESULTS: Primary knee diagnoses included anterior cruciate ligament injury (n = 8), meniscal injury (n = 36), patellofemoral pain (n = 45) and osteoarthritis (n = 79). Diagnostic inter-rater agreement between the physiotherapist and physicians was high (k = 0.89; 95% CI:0.83-0.94). Inter-rater agreement for triage recommendations of surgical candidates was good (k = 0.73; 95% CI:0.60-0.86). Se and Sp of the physiotherapist's ME ranged from 82.0 to 100.0% and 96.0 to 100.0% respectively and LR+/- ranged from 23.2 to 30.5 and from 0.03 to 0.09 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: There was high diagnostic agreement and good triage concordance between the physiotherapist and physicians. The ME without imaging may be sufficient to diagnose or exclude common knee disorders for a large proportion of patients. Replication in a larger study will be required as well as further assessment of innovative multidisciplinary care trajectories to improve care of patients with common musculoskeletal disorders.

[Mitchell's osteotomy in the treatment of hallux valgus]. / Ostéotomie de Mitchell dans le traitement de l'hallux valgus.

Ninety-one (91) Mitchell osteotomies on 63 patients (60 females and 3 males) were reviewed. The average follow-up was 40 months (min. 12, max. 70). The average age at the time of the surgery was 51 years (min. 20, max. 74). The presence of a apinful bunion justified the surgery in a majority of cases (92%). The clinical evaluation was done by an independent observer. Weight bearing X-rays of the feet were made in each case. The results show a satisfactory improvement of the pain in 92% of the cases. The patients were satisfied with the appearance of their foot in 93% of the cases. The average active articular range of motion was 47 degrees (min. 20 degrees, max. 120 degrees). The Das De scale showed 75% of excellent and good results. Twelve per cent (12%) of the patients presented residual metatarsalgia. We observed minor complications in 10 cases (11%). We report no cases of avascular necrosis, pseudarthrosis or infection. Clinico-radiological correlations were made. We obtained an average correction of 13 degrees (min. -5 degrees, max. 28 degrees) of the hallux valgus and 3.5 degrees (min. -7 degrees, max. 7 degrees) of the intermetatarsal angle. We recommend the Mitchell osteotomy as long as the indication criterias and the surgical technique are respected.

[Non-cemented self-locking total arthroplasty of the hip. Clinical and radiological results after three years]. / L'arthroplastie totale de la hanche non cimentée de type autobloquant. Résultats cliniques et radiologiques à trois ans.

We reviewed 47 patients who had fifty-one (51) primary, cementless biofit total hip arthroplasties (THA) implanted at Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital between 1986 and 1990. An independent observer rated the patients on the Harris Hip Score (HHS) by questionnaire, physical examination and radiological assessment. The average follow-up was 40 months. Twenty-two percent (22%) of the femoral components had been revised because of incapacitating pain, limping or a HHS inferior to 60. A little more than 20% of the unrevised prostheses had a mediocre result (HHS inferior to 70). There was no correlation between results and radiological signs of instability. The femoral component of the hip arthroplasty has a poor clinical performance which compares unfavourably with cemented prostheses.

Lack of scientific evidence for the treatment of lateral epicondylitis of the elbow. An attempted meta-analysis.

We have reviewed 185 articles published since 1966 to assess the scientific evidence for methods of treatment for lateral epicondylitis of the elbow. Of the 185 articles, 78 discussed treatment, but since the natural history of the syndrome is uncertain we considered only those series with concurrent control groups. Only 18 of these were randomised and controlled studies. We then graded these papers for scientific validity, using the methods of Chalmers et al (1981). The mean score of the 18 articles was only 33%, with a range from 6% to 73%. A minimum of 70% is required for a valid clinical trial, and we therefore concluded that there was insufficient scientific evidence to support any of the current methods of treatment. There were too many methodological differences to allow a quantitative meta-analysis, but our qualitative review established the importance of the natural evolution of the syndrome and of the placebo effect of all treatments. Properly designed, controlled trials are needed.

Bone imaging after cementless press fit total hip arthroplasty.

In view of the high rate of loosening of conventional cemented hip prostheses, cementless implants are gaining popularity in Europe and North America. Smooth-surfaced "press fit" prostheses are designed for autolocking in the femoral canal at the time of installation. Fifteen patients were prospectively followed by bone imaging with Tc-99m MDP at three-month intervals after cementless "press fit" hip arthroplasty to define the "normal" distribution of mechanical stress to the surrounding bone, as well as the incorporation of bone allografts used for reconstruction of resorption sites in cases of revision surgery.

Long-term results of surgical reconstruction for chronic lateral instability of the ankle: comparison of Watson-Jones and Evans techniques.

Evans and Watson-Jones described different techniques for reconstructing the lateral ligament of the ankle in patients with chronic lateral instability, but long-term results of the two techniques are not clear. This retrospective study compares the results in 20 adults at an average followup of 5 years (range 4 to 8). Preoperatively all patients showed an average talar tilt of 15 degrees more than the normal side. Ten patients had the Evans procedure and ten the Watson-Jones operation. Nineteen patients had good or excellent clinical results with a stable ankle. Radiographic studies showed minimal residual instability which was more marked in plantar flexion than in neutral, but this did not jeopardize the end results. Long-term clinical results of the two operations are similar. However, the Evans technique controlled talar tilt better whereas the Watson-Jones operation was more effective in reducing anteroposterior instability.