Reverse rhino sign as a radiological sign of low-grade infected reverse shoulder arthroplasty.

INTRODUCTION: Low-grade infections following shoulder surgery are difficult to diagnose. Recently, curved-shaped bony spurs, further mentioned "reverse rhino signs" because of its shape, growing inferior on the glenoid were noticed on X-rays of patients with a reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) and a Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) infection. This study aimed to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the reverse rhino sign as a radiological marker for detecting low-grade shoulder infections in RSA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A diagnostic study was performed including patients who underwent revision surgery of an RSA with perioperative cultures taken. Blinded radiographic evaluation was performed by two orthopedic surgeons for presence of rhino signs, humeral osteophytes, and notching. Efficacy measures of the reverse rhino sign for detecting low-grade infections were determined. Furthermore, results were stratified for notching and gender. RESULTS: Thirty-two revised RSA patients had a low-grade infection and 36 had no infection. Seventeen (53%) patients with infection had a reverse rhino sign present, compared to 6 (17%) in the non-infection group. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of the reverse rhino sign were, respectively, 53%, 83%, 74%, and 67%. These measures changed to 68%, 77%, 72%, and 74% for patients without notching and to 47%, 100%, 100%, and 8% for males. CONCLUSION: In the absence of a reverse rhino sign in RSA patients, a low-grade shoulder infection is unlikely. Hence, the reverse rhino sign can be used to rule in a low-grade shoulder infection, especially in males and in the absence of notching. Low-grade infections should be considered in patients with unexplained persistent shoulder complaints after RSA placement, especially when a rhino sign is present. For these patients, we advise to perform mini-open biopsy for cultures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic level IV.

Evaluation and Validation of the Dutch European Foot and Ankle Society (EFAS) Score.

The European Foot and Ankle Society (EFAS) score is a recently developed foot and ankle patient-reported outcome measure. It has been developed and partly validated in seven languages. This study's aim was to investigate the measurement properties of the Dutch version of the EFAS score. Subscales of the Dutch EFAS score were evaluated in 547 patients with a variety of foot and ankle diagnoses. Floor and ceiling effect, reliability, and construct validity were assessed. The internal consistency of the EFAS score was acceptable (Cronbach's alpha 0.79-0.94). Repeatability was considered poor, with intraclass correlation coefficients between 0.32 and 0.39. Construct validity was inadequate with confirmation of 67% of the hypothesized correlations. In conclusion, the Dutch version of the EFAS score does not have adequate measurement properties for use in patient with patients with varying foot and ankle problems.

Pre- and peroperative diagnosis of Cutibacterium acnes infections in shoulder surgery: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Cutibacterium acnes is the most commonly detected pathogen during shoulder surgery. Lack of typical infection signs make Cutibacterium acnes infections difficult to diagnose. This systematic review aims to determine which pre- and peroperative diagnostic tools are most reliable to identify Cutibacterium acnes infections after shoulder surgery. METHODS: PubMed/Embase were searched for diagnostic studies. Methodological quality of included studies was assessed using QUADAS-2. Forest plots summarized results (sensitivity and specificity) for each pre- and peroperative diagnostic tool. RESULTS: Twenty-two studies were included, of which 8 described preoperative, 10 peroperative, and 4 both pre- and peroperative diagnostic tools. Quality of the studies varied widely. For preoperative tools, synovial calprotectin, interleukin-6, and combined interleukin-6/interleukin-2/tumor necrosis factor-α had the best efficacy measures. Pre-revision biopsies and arthroscopic tissue cultures were the best peroperative tools. CONCLUSION: Despite a lack of evidence and the use of different Cutibacterium acnes infection criteria and reference standards, the use of combined interleukin-6/interleukin-2/tumor necrosis factor-α as preoperative and arthroscopic tissue cultures as peroperative diagnostic tool is for now recommended based on results and validity. More research should be performed to provide valid evidence on these tools. In order to do so, an internationally accepted definition of Cutibacterium acnes infections is essential. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Systematic review.

Restoration of pre-operative joint line orientation and alignment does not affect KSS and KOOS 1 year after total knee arthroplasty.

PURPOSE: The objectives of this study were to examine the relation between clinical outcomes 1 year postoperatively, in a cohort of mechanically aligned total knee arthroplasties (TKA), and (1) the degrees of alignment change of the tibial, femoral and the hip-knee-ankle (HKA) angle; (2) the change of phenotype; (3) the postoperative knee joint line orientation to the floor. METHODS: Pre-operative and postoperative long-leg X-rays of 90 patients were used to determine the coronal alignment. The absolute difference between the pre-operative and postoperative measurements was determined and the outcomes were categorized in whether or not a change in phenotype had occurred. Finally, the orientation of the knee joint line relative to the floor (tibial joint line angle-TJLA) was measured. Clinical outcomes were determined with the KOOS and KSS at 1-year follow-up. RESULTS: The clinical outcomes (1) did not correlate with the absolute difference of the alignment measured; (2) did not show a difference between patients with or without a change in phenotype; and (3) were higher (KOOS ADL, Sport and QoL) in patients with a medial open TJLA. CONCLUSION: This study showed no correlation between clinical outcomes and joint line restoration of the femur, tibia or HKA in patients after TKA. Leaving the prosthesis with some degrees of under correction on the coronal plane maintaining the phenotype, was not associated to better clinical results compared to TKA overcorrection. Nevertheless, the results showed that patients with a medial open TJLA had better clinical outcomes than patients with a lateral open TJLA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Cutibacterium acnes infections in revision surgery for persistent shoulder complaints: a retrospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Low-grade Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) infections after shoulder surgery usually result in unexplained complaints. The absence of clinical signs of infection makes the incidence unclear and underreported. This study aimed to determine the incidence of C. acnes infections in patients with artificial material and unexplained persistent shoulder complaints. We hypothesized that the incidence of C. acnes infections would be higher in patients with artificial material. Risk factors and associations between culture time and contaminations/infections were also assessed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included patients with and without artificial material undergoing revision shoulder surgery for persistent complaints after primary surgery and the suspicion of a low-grade infection. Three-six cultures were taken in all patients. C. acnes infection incidence was determined and logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors. The association between time to culture growth and infections/contaminations was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank test. RESULTS: 26/61 (42.6%) patients with and 14/33 (42.2%) without material had a C. acnes infection. Age (OR 0.959; 95% CI 0.914-1.000) and BMI (OR 0.884; 95% CI 0.787-0.977) were risk factors. Time to C. acnes culture positivity was not different between infections and contaminations. CONCLUSION: The incidence of C. acnes infections was 42.6% in patients with artificial material and 42.2% in patients without artificial material. Younger age and lower BMI are risk factors. Low-grade C. acnes infections should be considered in patients with unexplained persistent complaints following shoulder surgery.

Complications after sternoclavicular surgery.

BACKGROUND: Sternoclavicular joint (SCJ) pathologies such as instability are rare; therefore, SCJ surgery is performed infrequently. Complications of these surgeries can be devastating. This study evaluated complications, and particularly infections, after SCJ surgery. METHODS: A retrospective cohort of 68 patients who underwent SCJ surgery with a minimum follow-up of 1 year was reviewed. Patients' characteristics, intraoperative, and postoperative complications were retrieved. In case of a reoperation, relevant data from the reoperation and microbiological findings were collected. RESULTS: Twenty-two men and 46 women with a mean age of 37.5 years (range, 13-70 years) were analyzed. A complication occurred in 26 of 68 patients (38.2%). In 16 patients (23.5%), this was an infection. Cutibacterium acnes was the pathogen in 14 of these infections. Infection occurred more often in men than in women (P = .02). A total of 26 reoperations were performed in our cohort: 14 due to clinical signs of infection, 9 due to instability, 1 due to complaints of SCJ osteoarthritis, and 2 due to other causes. CONCLUSION: Complications after SCJ surgery occur more often than previously described. C. acnes infections are often seen. When left untreated, these complications can lead to persistent complaints or recurrent instability due to failure of reconstruction. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to identify infections at an early stage, or better, to prevent them. The use of benzoyl peroxide gel preoperatively seems effective in reducing early C. acnes infections in this type of surgery.

Maximal flexion and patient outcomes after TKA, using a bicruciate-stabilizing design.

INTRODUCTION: Physiological motion after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) should result in a large range of motion, which would lead to good clinical outcomes. An adjusted design of a bicruciate-stabilizing TKA was developed to reproduce physiological motion. The aim of this study was to (1) investigate the maximal knee flexion of this knee system, 1 year post-operatively; (2) determine the clinical and functional improvement and compare the outcomes between patients with and without high maximal flexion; and (3) evaluate the adverse events. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective study, 62 patients with osteoarthritis received a bicruciate-stabilizing TKA. Maximum flexion was measured on a lateral X-ray pre- and post-operatively. Clinical and functional scores and the adverse events were reported up until 2 years after surgery. RESULTS: Pre-operatively, the median (range) maximal flexion was 131.5 (90-153)° and 1 year post-operatively, it was 130 (82-150)°. The results for the clinical scores showed an improvement between pre-operative values and post-operative values. The Kujala score and Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) symptoms, sport and quality of life score were better in patients with high maximal flexion (≥ 125°). Ten (serious) adverse device events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the bicruciate-stabilizing TKA obtained a maximal flexion comparable to the flexion pre-operatively and resulted in good clinical and functional outcomes. Patients with high flexion ability seem to perform better on clinical and functional outcomes. Furthermore, the adjusted design of the bicruciate-stabilizing TKA reduced the number of adverse events. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prospective cohort study, Level II.

The presence of Cutibacterium acnes on the skin of the shoulder after the use of benzoyl peroxide: a placebo-controlled, double-blinded, randomized trial.

HYPOTHESIS AND BACKGROUND: We hypothesized that benzoyl peroxide (BPO) would reduce the presence of Cutibacterium acnes on the skin of the shoulder by 50% compared with placebo. Infections after shoulder surgery are most commonly caused by C acnes. Current prophylactic methods do not effectively reduce the bacterial load of this bacterium. However, it seems that BPO may reduce C acnes on the skin of the shoulder. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of BPO on the presence of C acnes on the shoulder skin. METHODS: A double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was performed including healthy participants aged between 40 and 80 years. Thirty participants with C acnes on the shoulder skin according to baseline skin swabs were randomized into the BPO or placebo group. After gel application 5 times, skin swabs were taken to determine the presence of C acnes. RESULTS: Forty-two participants were screened for the presence of C acnes to include 30 participants with the bacterium. Participants with C acnes at baseline were 7.4 years younger than participants without C acnes (P = .015). One participant in the placebo group dropped out before application because of fear of adverse events. After application, C acnes remained present in 3 of 15 participants (20.0%) in the BPO group and in 10 of 14 participants (71.4%) in the placebo group, resulting in a 51.4% reduction in the presence of C acnes. CONCLUSION: Applying BPO 5 times on the shoulder skin effectively reduces C acnes. Consequently, BPO may reduce the risk of postoperative infections.

Long-term outcomes after Instrumented Bone Preserving total elbow arthroplasty: a radiostereometric study with a minimum follow-up of 10 years.

BACKGROUND: Aseptic loosening is a main concern in elbow arthroplasty. Evaluation of implant migration using radiostereometric analysis (RSA) might increase understanding of implant loosening. Previously, 2-year RSA results of 16 Instrumented Bone Preserving (IBP) elbow prostheses showed migration of the humeral component in the first weeks but most components stabilized within 6 months postoperatively. In follow-up, the present study evaluated long-term survival, the relation between early migration and survival, and the long-term migration and clinical outcomes. METHODS: Sixteen patients who received an IBP prosthesis were prospectively followed with a median follow-up time of 136 months (range 82-165). Migration was measured using RSA. Clinical results were described using the Elbow Function Assessment (EFA), Broberg and Morrey elbow functional rating index, Oxford Elbow Score (OES), and visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and satisfaction. RESULTS: Four patients underwent a revision within 10 years, and 2 more were planned for revision surgery after 14 years. Five patients died with their prosthesis in situ. Early migration was not associated with survival. Long-term migration patterns varied widely. Median EFA score was 58.5, Broberg and Morrey score was 50, and OES score was 32. Median VAS score for pain was 2 and that for satisfaction was 7.5. CONCLUSION: Ten-year survival of the IBP total elbow prosthesis was 75%, decreasing to 63% after 14 years of follow-up. Long-term implant failure could not be predicted by 2-year migration results in this study. Although short-term clinical results were promising, long-term outcomes worsened in all patients.

Influence of a Tourniquet on Opioid Consumption After Local Infiltration Analgesia for Total Knee Arthroplasty.

OBJECTIVE: Local infiltration analgesia (LIA) with ropivacaine is increasingly used to provide postoperative analgesia after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). TKA may be performed with or without the use of a tourniquet. The absence of local blood flow when infiltrating local anaesthesia below an inflated tourniquet may affect the rate of systemic absorption, and this may have an effect on the duration and intensity of analgesia as compared with LIA without the use of a tourniquet. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of tourniquet use during surgery on the time to first request (TTFR) of opioids and opioid consumption. METHODS: Two historical time-based cohorts (one with and one without tourniquet during surgery) of 300 patients underwent primary TKA under spinal anaesthesia and received LIA to provide postoperative analgesia. The cohorts were compared for TTFR of opioids and opioid consumption. RESULTS: TTFR did not significantly differ between the tourniquet and non-tourniquet groups with a median (25th-75th percentile) of 240 (102-651) and 282 (100-720) min, respectively. The median (25th-75th percentile) oxycodone use was higher in the tourniquet group with 50 (20-90) versus 40 (10-77.5) mg (p=0.01). CONCLUSION: There was no difference in the time to first opioid consumption, suggesting that the presence of an inflated tourniquet during local anaesthetic injection does not alter systemic absorption sufficiently to affect the duration of analgesia. However, the use of a tourniquet was associated with a higher opioid consumption, which is most likely caused by pain resulting from the tourniquet itself.

Long-term results after triple arthrodesis: Influence of alignment on ankle osteoarthritis and clinical outcome.

BACKGROUND: Pain, deformity and instability are the main reasons for fusion of the tarsal joints, a triple arthrodesis. The short and midterm results show that mobility, function and satisfaction increase postoperatively. However, osteoarthritis (OA) of the adjacent ankle joint is described as a long-term complication. Alignment of the foot could be an influencing factor. The aim of this study was to examine whether malalignment after triple arthrodesis leads to a higher grade of OA at long-term follow-up. METHODS: Between 1991 and 2002, 81 patients underwent a triple arthrodesis. Preoperatively, postoperatively, 3, 7.5 and 15 years after surgery, dorsoplantar (DP) and lateral X-rays were taken and used to evaluate the degree of OA and the geometry of the foot. The degree of OA was estimated using the Kellgren and Lawrence score. The geometry of the foot was assessed using Meary's angle; a Meary's angle exceeding 15° in DP and/or greater than -5 to 5° from the lateral view was defined as malalignment. In addition to the radiological evaluation, clinical scores (FFI and AOFAS) were recorded. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients (40 feet) were available for analysis 15 years after surgery. In 19 cases there was an increase in ankle OA following the operation. Eight feet showed malalignment on the lateral view and 28 on the DP view. There was no difference in both an increase of ankle OA or clinical outcome between correct aligned feet and feet classified as malaligned. Thirty-three patients with 38 treated feet stated that they would decide to undergo the treatment again. Two patients would not want to undergo the same surgery again. The patients were satisfied with the result of surgery, clinical scores improved after surgery and remained stable in the long-term. CONCLUSIONS: Triple arthrodesis is a salvage procedure in patients with a painful and deformed hindfoot and results in a clinically beneficial outcome, even 15 years after surgery. The present study did not show that malalignment after triple arthrodesis results in a higher grade of OA of the ankle joint in the long-term. The cause of the aggravation of OA is still not fully understood and needs further research. Nevertheless, clinical results are satisfying 15 years postoperatively.

Stability and alignment do not improve by using patient-specific instrumentation in total knee arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: The primary aim of the study was to examine stability and alignment after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) using patient-specific instrumentation (PSI) and conventional instrumentation (CI). The hypothesis was that stability and alignment would be better using PSI than CI, 12 months postoperatively. The secondary aim included the evaluation of clinical outcomes after TKA. METHODS: In this prospective randomized controlled trial, 42 patients with knee osteoarthritis received a Genesis II PS prosthesis with either PSI or CI. Patients visited the hospital preoperatively and postoperatively after 6 weeks and 3 and 12 months. To evaluate stability, varus-valgus laxity was determined in extension and flexion using stress radiographs 12 months postoperatively. Three months postoperatively, a long-leg radiograph and CT scan were obtained to measure hip-knee-ankle (HKA) alignment and component rotation. Furthermore, frontal and sagittal alignment of the components, the Knee Society Score, VAS Pain, VAS Satisfaction, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome score, Patella score (Kujala), University of California Los Angeles activity score, anterior-posterior laxity, (serious) adverse device-related events, and intraoperative complications were reported. The clinical outcomes were compared using independent t tests or non-parametric alternatives, and repeated measurements ANOVA with a significance level of p < 0.05. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between the two groups regarding stability, HKA angle, and rotational alignment. In four patients, the PSI did not fit correctly on the tibia and/or femur requiring intraoperative modifications. Both groups improved significantly over time on all clinical outcomes, with no significant differences between the groups 12 months postoperatively. The PSI group showed less tibial slope than the patients in the CI group [PSI 2.6° versus CI 4.8° (p = 0.02)]. Finally, the PSI group more frequently received a thinner insert size than the CI group (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Patients operated with PSI did not differ from CI in terms of stability and alignment. However, in the PSI group ligament releases were more often required intraoperatively. Furthermore, the two methods did not show different clinical results. It seems that the preoperative planning for the PSI facilitates more conservative bone cuts than CI, but whether this is clinically relevant should be investigated. Since PSI is more expensive and time consuming than CI, and does not outperform CI with regard to clinical results, we recommend to use CI. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: I.

Comparable Stability of Cemented vs Press-Fit Placed Stems in Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty With Mild to Moderate Bone Loss: 6.5-Year Results From a Randomized Controlled Trial With Radiostereometric Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Short-term stability after revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with either fully cemented or hybrid-placed implants is comparable. Interestingly, implant micromotion >1 mm/degree occurred with both techniques which might increase the risk of loosening in the midterm or long-term. Therefore, the present study investigated midterm stability and clinical results of fully cemented vs hybrid-placed revision TKA, with mild to moderate bone loss, using radiostereometric analysis (RSA). METHODS: This study involves the prolonged follow-up of a previous randomized controlled trial. RSA images taken at baseline, 6 weeks, 3 and 6 months, and 1, 2 and 6.5 years of follow-up were analyzed. Stability of the femoral and tibial implants was evaluated using total translation and rotation, based on the micromotion determined with model-based RSA. RESULTS: Of the 30 patients who completed the 2-year follow-up in the original randomized controlled trial, 23 (12 cement, 11 hybrid) were available for follow-up at 6.5-year (range 5.4-7.3). There were no differences in median total translation and rotation of the femoral and tibial components between the 2 groups, and none of the clinical scores differed between the groups. Interestingly, in the group with cemented stems, 5 tibia implants showed >1 mm/degree micromotion compared to none in the hybrid group. CONCLUSION: There was no difference in median micromotion and clinical outcome between fully cemented and hybrid-placed revision TKA 6.5 years postoperatively. Two femur components showed progressive migration over time whereas tibia components migrate especially in the first year followed by a stable situation. Whether this will lead to loosening and re-revisions remains to be investigated.

Short term results of the Mobility Total Ankle System: Clinical and radiographic outcome.

BACKGROUND: Ankle arthroplasty is increasingly used to reduce pain and improve or maintain joint mobility in end-stage ankle arthritis. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical and radiographic short term results of the Mobility prosthesis. METHODS: Complications, secondary operations, failures and the survival rate were retrospectively examined in 67 primary Mobility total ankle arthroplasties. Prosthesis alignment was measured and patient reported outcomes were assessed with the use of questionnaires. RESULTS: There were two intraoperative and 13 postoperative complications, requiring seven reoperations. Failure occurred in three cases, with a survival of 95% after 61 months. Clinical scores improved after surgery and alignment was correct in 93% of the tibial and 93% of the talar components. CONCLUSION: Despite few intraoperative complications and satisfactory clinical and radiological outcome, the incidence of postoperative complications, reoperations and failure indicate the importance of further development and research in the field of ankle arthroplasty.

Long-term Functional and Radiographic Outcome of a Mobile Bearing Ankle Prosthesis.

BACKGROUND: Total ankle arthroplasty is an accepted alternative to arthrodesis of the ankle. However, complication and failure rates remain high. Long-term results of the Scandinavian Total Ankle Replacement (STAR) are limited, with variable complication and failure rates observed. This prospective study presents the long-term survivorship and postoperative complications of the STAR prosthesis. METHODS: Between May 1999 and June 2008, 134 primary total ankle arthroplasties were performed using the STAR prosthesis in 124 patients. The survivorship, postoperative complications, and reoperations were recorded, with a minimum follow-up period of 7.5 years. Clinical results were assessed using the Foot Function Index and the Kofoed score. The presence of component migration, cysts, and radiolucency surrounding the prosthesis components, heterotopic ossification, and progression of osteoarthritis in adjacent joints were determined. RESULTS: The cumulative survival was 78% after the 10-year follow-up period. An ankle arthrodesis was performed in 20 ankles (14.9%) that failed. Fourteen polyethylene insert fractures occurred (10.4%). Other complications occurred in 29 ankles (21.6%), requiring secondary procedures in 21 ankles (15.7%). Nevertheless, the postoperative clinical results improved significantly. Osteolytic cysts were observed in 61 ankles (59.8%) and the surface area of these cysts increased during follow-up, without any association with the prosthesis alignment or clinical outcome. Heterotopic ossification at the medial malleolus was present in 58 cases (56.8%) and at the posterior tibia in 73 cases (71.6%), with no effect on clinical outcome. Osteoarthritis of the subtalar and talonavicular joint developed in 9 (8.8%) and 11 cases (10.8%), respectively. CONCLUSION: The long-term clinical outcomes for the STAR were found to be satisfactory. Although these results are consistent with previous studies, the survival and complication rates are disappointing compared to knee and hip arthroplasty. Higher rates of successful outcomes following ankle arthroplasty are important, and these results highlight the need for further research to clarify the origin and significance of the reported complications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, prospective comparative study.

Multiple gait parameters derived from iPod accelerometry predict age-related gait changes.

INTRODUCTION: Normative data of how natural aging affects gait can serve as a frame of reference for changes in gait dynamics due to pathologies. Therefore, the present study aims (1) to identify gait variables sensitive to age-related changes in gait over the adult life span using the iPod and (2) to assess if these variables accurately distinguish young (aged 18-45) from healthy older (aged 46-75) adults. METHODS: Trunk accelerations were recorded with an iPod Touch in 59 healthy adults during three minutes of overground walking. Gait variables included gait speed and accelerometry-based gait variables (stride, amplitude, frequency, and trajectory-related variables) in the anterior-posterior (AP) and medio-lateral (ML) directions. Multivariate partial least square analysis (PLS) identified variables sensitive to age-related differences in gait. To classify young and old adults, a PLS-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was used to test the accuracy of these variables. RESULTS: The PLS model explained 42% of variation in age. Influential variables were: mean stride time, phase variability index, root mean square, stride variability, AP sample entropy and ML maximal Lyaponov exponent. PLS-DA classified 83% of the participants correctly with a sensitivity of 83% and specificity of 71%. DISCUSSION: Contrary to the frequently reported high gait variability observed in old adults with frailty and fall history, the present study showed that younger compared with older healthy adults had a more variable, less predictable and more symmetrical gait pattern. A model based on a combination of variables reflecting gait dynamics, could distinguish healthy younger adults from older adults.

The Association of Medication-Use and Frailty-Related Factors with Gait Performance in Older Patients.

The increased fall risk associated with the use of psychotropic drugs might be caused by underlying problems in postural control that are induced by sedative side-effects of these drugs. The current literature on the effects of psychotropics on postural control only examined acute single-drug effects, and included relatively healthy young elderly. Consequently, it is unclear what the impact of the long-term use of these drugs is on gait in frail older persons with polypharmacy. Therefore, it was aimed in the present study to explore the association between the use of psychotropics, multiple other medications, frailty-related parameters and gait performance in older patients. Eighty older persons (79±5.6 years) were recruited. Comorbid diseases, frailty-related parameters, and medication-use were registered. Trunk accelerations during a 3-minute-walking-task were recorded, whereof walking speed, mean stride times, coefficient of variation (CV) of stride times, and step consistency were determined. Multivariate Partial Least Squares (PLS) regression analysis was used to examine the association between population characteristics and medication-use, versus gait parameters. A PLS-model existing of four latent variables was built, explaining 45% of the variance in four gait parameters. Frailty-related factors, being female, and laxative-use were most strongly associated with lower walking speed, higher mean stride times, higher CV of stride times, and less consistent steps. In conclusion, frailty-related parameters were stronger associated with impaired gait performance than the use of psychotropic drugs. Possibly, at a certain frailty-level, the effect of the deterioration in physical functioning in frailty is so large, that the instability-provoking side-effects of psychotropic drugs have less impact on gait.

Validity and Reliability of Gait and Postural Control Analysis Using the Tri-axial Accelerometer of the iPod Touch.

Accelerometer-based assessments can identify elderly with an increased fall risk and monitor interventions. Smart devices, like the iPod Touch, with built-in accelerometers are promising for clinical gait and posture assessments due to easy use and cost-effectiveness. The aim of the present study was to establish the validity and reliability of the iPod Touch for gait and posture assessment. Sixty healthy participants (aged 18-75 years) were measured with an iPod Touch and stand-alone accelerometer while they walked under single- and dual-task conditions, and while standing in parallel and semi-tandem stance with eyes open, eyes closed and when performing a dual task. Cross-correlation values (CCV) showed high correspondence of anterior-posterior and medio-lateral signal patterns (CCV's ≥ 0.88). Validity of gait parameters (foot contacts, index of harmonicity, and amplitude variability) and standing posture parameters [root mean square of accelerations, median power frequency (MPF) and sway area] as indicated by intra-class correlation (ICC) was high (ICC = 0.85-0.99) and test-retest reliability was good (ICC = 0.81-0.97), except for MPF (ICC = 0.59-0.87). Overall, the iPod Touch obtained valid and reliable measures of gait and postural control in healthy adults of all ages under different conditions. Additionally, smart devices have the potential to be used for clinical gait and posture assessments.

Factors related to the high fall rate in long-term care residents with dementia.

BACKGROUND: Falls in long-term care residents with dementia represent a costly but unresolved safety issue. The aim of the present study was to (1) determine the incidence of falls, fall-related injuries and fall circumstances, and (2) identify the relationship between patient characteristics and fall rate in long-term care residents with dementia. METHODS: Twenty long-term care residents with dementia (80 ± 11 years; 60% male) participated. Falls were recorded on a standardized form, concerning fall injuries, time and place of fall and if the fall was witnessed. Patient characteristics (66 variables) were extracted from medical records and classified into the domains: demographics, activities of daily living, mobility, cognition and behavior, vision and hearing, medical conditions and medication use. We used partial least squares (PLS) regression to determine the relationship between patient characteristics and fall rate. RESULTS: A total of 115 falls (5.1 ± 6.7 falls/person/year) occurred over 19 months, with 85% of the residents experiencing a fall, 29% of falls had serious consequences and 28% was witnessed. A combination of impaired mobility, indicators of disinhibited behavior, diabetes, and use of analgesics, beta blockers and psycholeptics were associated with higher fall rates. In contrast, immobility, heart failure, and the inability to communicate were associated with lower fall rates. CONCLUSIONS: Falls are frequent and mostly unwitnessed events in long-term care residents with dementia, highlighting the need for more effective and individualized fall prevention. Our analytical approach determined the relationship between a high fall rate and cognitive impairment, related to disinhibited behavior, in combination with mobility disability and fall-risk-increasing-drugs (FRIDs).

Effectiveness and feasibility of early physical rehabilitation programs for geriatric hospitalized patients: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Old adults admitted to the hospital are at severe risk of functional loss during hospitalization. Early in-hospital physical rehabilitation programs appear to prevent functional loss in geriatric patients. The first aim of this review was to investigate the effect of early physical rehabilitation programs on physical functioning among geriatric patients acutely admitted to the hospital. The second aim was to evaluate the feasibility of early physical rehabilitation programs. METHODS: Two searches, one for physical functioning and one for feasibility, were conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, and EMBASE. Additional studies were identified through reference and citation tracking. To be included articles had to report on in-hospital early physical rehabilitation of patients aged 65 years and older with an outcome measure of physical functioning. Studies were excluded when the treatment was performed on specialized units other than geriatric units. Randomized controlled trials were included to examine the effect of early physical rehabilitation on physical functioning, length of stay and discharge destination. To investigate feasibility also non randomized controlled trials were added. RESULTS: Fifteen articles, reporting on 13 studies, described the effect on physical functioning. The early physical rehabilitation programs were classified in multidisciplinary programs with an exercise component and usual care with an exercise component. Multidisciplinary programs focussed more on facilitating discharge home and independent ADL, whereas exercise programs aimed at improving functional outcomes. At time of discharge patients who had participated in a multidisciplinary program or exercise program improved more on physical functional tests and were less likely to be discharged to a nursing home compared to patients receiving only usual care. In addition, multidisciplinary programs reduced the length of hospital stay significantly. Follow-up interventions improved physical functioning after discharge. The feasibility search yielded four articles. The feasibility results showed that early physical rehabilitation for acutely hospitalized old adults was safe. Adherence rates differed between studies and the recruitment of patients was sometimes challenging. CONCLUSIONS: Early physical rehabilitation care for acutely hospitalized old adults leads to functional benefits and can be safely executed. Further research is needed to specifically quantify the physical component in early physical rehabilitation programs.