Veterans RAND Research Articles

Optimizing Total Knee Arthroplasty Rehabilitation With Telehealth Physical Activity Behavior Change Intervention: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Conventional total knee arthroplasty (TKA) rehabilitation has little impact on sedentary lifestyles that have negative long-term health consequences. The purpose of this trial was to determine the effect of telehealth-based physical activity behavior change intervention on physical activity and functional outcomes following TKA. This study was a 2-arm, parallel randomized controlled superiority trial at a regional Veterans Affairs medical center. The participants were 92 US military veterans (mean age = 65.7 [SD =7.8] y) undergoing unilateral TKA. The Physical Activity Behavior Change (PABC) intervention included telehealth-based self-management training (10 30-minute sessions) delivered over 12weeks. The control intervention included telehealth-based health education sessions that matched PABC frequency and duration. Both groups participated in standardized conventional outpatient rehabilitation. Physical activity, measured as average daily step count, was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were Life-Space Assessment questionnaire, 30-Second Chair-Stand test, Timed "Up & Go" Test, 6-Minute Walk Test, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, and Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey. The Self Efficacy for Exercise scale and daily time spent in different postures (sitting/lying, standing, stepping) were exploratory variables. Outcomes were measured at baseline (before surgery), mid-intervention (8weeks after surgery), after the intervention (14weeks after surgery; primary endpoint), and follow-up (38weeks after surgery). The PABC group had an estimated 931 (95% CI = 42-1819) more daily steps than the control group from baseline to 14weeks, though a between-group effect was not sustained at 38weeks. There were no group differences in secondary outcomes. Participants included only military veterans using Veterans Health Administration services. The intervention targeted self-management and did not include peer support. The PABC intervention improved physical activity for veterans recovering from unilateral TKA at 14weeks after surgery, though the effect was not sustained at 38weeks. Physical function improved with rehabilitation but was not different between groups, indicating that physical function was not a primary driver of physical activity behavior. Conventional TKA rehabilitation has a negligible effect on free-living physical activity, which is relevant to long-term health outcomes. This trial identified telehealth physical activity self-management as effective in addressing activity behaviors, separate from conventional rehabilitation strategies.

Fixed-Bearing Lateral Unicompartment Knee Arthroplasty in Degenerative ACL-Deficient and ACL-Intact Knees: A Matched Pair Analysis

BackgroundAnterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-deficient knees are no longer considered a contra-indication for unicompartment knee arthroplasty (UKA). The purpose of this study was to determine if patients who had an ACL-deficient knee who underwent lateral UKAs had similar mean 10-year outcomes compared to ACL-intact lateral UKA knees. MethodsPatients who underwent a lateral UKA with ACL deficiency by a single surgeon between 2004 and 2016, were identified. Preoperative magnetic resonance images (MRI) were utilized to identify a torn or absent ACL in all knees. The absence of an ACL was confirmed during arthroscopy prior to UKA. Patients were matched 1:2 based on age and sex with patients who underwent lateral UKA where the ACL was intact. The primary patient-reported outcome variable was survival without conversion to total knee arthroplasty. Secondary outcomes included Veterans Rand (VR)-12, the Lysholm score, the Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) Activities of Daily Living subscale, and Sport subscale. A power analysis showed that 14 patients were needed to identify differences of 10 points on the KOOS score with a power of 80%(p=0.05). ResultsThe cohort of ACL-deficient lateral UKA patients included 4 men and 12 women (43 to 82 years of age). The matched control group included 32 patients. The mean age of both groups was 67 years (range, 43 to 85). There were two patients in the ACL-deficient group who failed. At 10 years, survivorship in the ACL-deficient group was 85%, while survival in the ACL-intact group was 100% (P = 0.035). At an average follow-up of 11 years (range, 4 to 19.6), there was no difference in outcome scores between ACL-deficient and ACL-intact patients. ConclusionFixed-bearing lateral UKA in the ACL-deficient knee resulted in lower survival compared to patients who had an intact ACL. Patient-reported outcomes were similar in both groups. The ACL-deficient patient who wishes to undergo lateral UKA should be counseled on the lower survival.

Poster 344: The New "Terrible Triad": Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With Concurrent Meniscal Lateral Root and Medial Ramp Repairs

Objectives: The purpose of this paper was to compare patient reported outcomes (PROMs) between isolated anterior cruciate ligament (ACLR) and ACLR with concomitant medial meniscus ramp and lateral meniscus root repairs and compare PROMs between different medial meniscus ramp and lateral meniscus root repair techniques. Methods: All patients with isolated (ISO) ACL reconstruction or ACL reconstruction with concomitant medial meniscus ramp and lateral meniscus root repairs with a minimum 2 years of follow-up were retrospectively evaluated. Institutional review board approval was obtained for this study. A final total of 42 ISO-ACL patients were matched based upon age, sex, and body mass index to 40 in the “terrible triad” (TT) cohorts. Outcome measures were obtained from 32 patients in the ISO cohort, and 38 patients in the TT cohort. The PROMs used for this study include the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) Subjective Knee, Cincinnati, Tegner, Lysholm, Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey (VR-12), and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcomes Score (KOOS) questionnaire forms. T tests and chi-square goodness of fit tests were used to compare the above PROMs both pre- and postoperatively within each cohort, and between cohorts and rates of revision or reoperation. Results: The preoperative and postoperative PROMs between patients in the isolated cohort and the triad cohort demonstrated no significant differences, except for the Physical category of the VR-12, in which the triad cohort had significantly higher results (p = 0.04) (Figure 1). Both the isolated cohort and the triad cohort reported significant differences between pre- and postoperative PROMs within their own cohorts. When comparing methods of surgery, including all-inside vs. inside-out for the medial meniscus repairs and tunnel versus no-tunnel for the lateral meniscus root repairs, no significant differences were found between postoperative PROMs. Additionally, no significant difference was found in revision or reoperative rates between the triad and isolated cohorts (p = 0.374) (Figure 2), the all-inside versus inside-out medial meniscus cohorts (p = 0.267), or the tunnel vs. no-tunnel lateral meniscus cohorts (p = 0.781). Conclusions: There was no significant difference in PROMs between isolated ACLR versus ACLR with concomitant medial meniscus ramp and lateral meniscus root repairs. While the complexity of the TT ACLR patients was more involved, PROMs and healing rates were similar and performing concurrent medial ramp and lateral root repairs at the time of ACLR should be considered.

Poster 234: Establishing the Minimal Clinically Important Difference and Patient Acceptable Symptomatic State After Isolated Arthroscopic Posterior Medial Meniscal Root Repair

Objectives: Root tears encompass avulsion injuries affecting the bony or soft tissue root attachments of the meniscus, as well as radial tears occurring within 1 cm of these attachment points. Meniscal root tears have been increasingly recognized as contributors to early onset osteoarthritis and disrupted joint kinematics and insights from animal, cadaveric, and clinical studies have resulted in a paradigm shift from meniscectomy towards repair. The purpose of this study is to define the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) and patient-acceptable symptomatic state (PASS) for patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) following isolated posterior medial meniscal root repair (PMMR) and to investigate the role of preoperative, demographic, and intraoperative variables for predicting achievement of these thresholds. We hypothesized that patients have a greater likelihood of achieving MCID with lower preoperative outcome scores and a greater likelihood to achieve PASS with higher preoperative outcome scores. Furthermore, certain preoperative and intraoperative factors are likely to influence achievement of MCID and PASS following PMMR. Methods: This is an IRB approved retrospective study of prospectively collected data from a single, high-volume institution. Inclusion criteria were patients who underwent arthroscopic PMMR performed by one of three fellowship-trained attending surgeons with a minimum of two year postoperative follow up. Exclusion criteria consisted of patient with KL grade >3 osteoarthritis and concomitant ligamentous procedures. Patients who had ipsilateral knee surgery within 2 years of undergoing meniscal root repair were also excluded. PROMs were collected from January 2017 to September 2023 and an electronic medical record was reviewed for demographic variables, intraoperative details, and postoperative complications. PROMs analyzed in this study include the International Knee Documentation Committee Score (IKDC), the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score Jr. (KOOS Jr.) and the Veterans Rand 12 Physical Function (VR12 P). MCID was determined to be one-half the standard deviation of the difference from baseline in PROM scores at minimum two-year follow-up. PASS thresholds were calculated using an anchor-based approach. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis for the calculation of PASS was conducted and optimal thresholds were calculated using the Youden Index to maximize the sensitivity and specificity of threshold values. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify patient-related factors at baseline and intraoperative variables associated with the attainment of MCID and PASS. Results: Seventy patients were included in the final analysis. The demographics of included patients is listed in Table 1. The mean preoperative score, mean postoperative score, MCID threshold, MCID achievement rate, PASS threshold, and PASS achievement rate for IKDC, KOOS Jr., and VR12 physical are listed within Table 2. The predictive value for all PASS thresholds was good to excellent, with AUC values for IKDC, KOOS Jr., and VR12 Physical being 0.858, 0.864, and 0.755, respectively (Figure 1). For IKDC, lower BMI (OR 0.73, p = 0.03) and lower preoperative score (OR 0.94, p = 0.02) were predictive of MCID achievement, whereas lower BMI (OR 0.87, p < 0.01) and greater preoperative score (OR 1.04, p = 0.04) were predictive of PASS achievement. For KOOS Jr., use of two sutures (OR 6.98, p < 0.01) was predictive of MCID achievement, whereas use of two sutures (OR 6.91, p < 0.01) and lower BMI (OR 0.81, p < 0.01) were predictive of PASS achievement. For VR12 Physical scores, younger age (OR 0.92, p = 0.04), lower BMI (OR 0.84, p = 0.01), and lower preoperative score (OR 0.89, p < 0.01) were predictive of MCID achievement, whereas use of two sutures (OR 7.24, p = 0.02), lower BMI (OR 0.92, p < 0.01), and greater preoperative score (OR 1.19, p = 0.02) were predictive of PASS achievement. Conclusions: This study defines the thresholds for MCID and PASS achievement at minimum two-year follow-up for IKDC, KOOS Jr., and VR12 Physical scores in a large cohort of patients undergoing isolated posterior-medial meniscal root repair at a single, high-volume institution. More patients achieved MCID than PASS. Lower BMI, use of fewer sutures, and preoperative scores were the most common predictors of MCID and PASS achievement. Additionally, younger age was an independent predictor of MCID achievement for VR-12 Physical Function.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Repair With Suture Tape Augmentation of Proximal Tears and Early Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With Suture Tape Augmentation Result in Comparable Clinical Outcomes With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction at 2-Year Follow-Up

To compare the postoperative side-to-side laxity and short-term clinical outcomes of patients who received primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repair with suture tape augmentation, acute anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) with suture tape augmentation performed within 8 weeks of injury (ACLRacute), or ACLR beyond 8 weeks of injury. After institutional review board approval was obtained, 100 patients were enrolled in this prospective trial: 34 primary ACL repair with suture tape augmentation, 33 ACLRs performed within 8 weeks of injury (ACLRacute), and 33 ACLRs. Patients were allocated to ACL repair if a proximal avulsion was present with good tissue quality (Sherman type 1), confirmed by intraoperative diagnostic arthroscopy. Preoperative side-to-side anteroposterior knee laxity was assessed with KT-1000 arthrometer, and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) including the visual analog scale, Marx activity scale, Veterans RAND 12-item health survey (VR-12 physical & mental), Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score survey subscales, and range of motion were collected. These objective and subjective measures were repeated at regular intervals postoperatively through 2 years. Minimal clinically important difference calculations were performed assessing postoperative PRO changes at 2 years compared with preoperative. The average time from injury to surgery was 5.03 ± 1.2 weeks for the ACL repair group, 5.09 ± 0.74 weeks for the ACLRacute, and 43.22 ± 33.5 weeks for the ACLR group. Postoperatively, the KT-1000 side-to-side laxity difference for 30 lbs was determined to be 0.1 ± 0.37 (95% confidence interval [CI] -0.7 to 0.8) for ACL repair versus ACLR (P < .0001), -0.8 ± 0.35 (95% CI -1.5 to -0.1) for ACLRacute versus ACLR (P < .0001), and 0.8 ± 0.40 (95% CI 0.0-1.6) for ACL repair versus ACLRacute (P < .0001). The data reveal ACL repair and ACLRacute are noninferior to ACLR at 2-year follow-up. The postoperative difference from baseline for all PROs demonstrated improvement for all PROs. Magnetic resonance imaging at 1 year revealed tissue healing for the 3 ACL injury treatment groups. Patients who underwent ACL repair of proximal tears with suture tape augmentation or ACL reconstruction within 8 weeks from injury resulted in noninferior side-to-side knee laxity, comparable PROs, and similar range of motion at 2-year follow-up compared with ACLR. Level II, prospective comparative study.

Health-related quality of life by veterans RAND 12 and healthcare resource utilization in cancer patients with sleep disorders: insights from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey.

This study aims to investigate the joint effects of cancer and sleep disorders on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL), healthcare resource utilization, and expenditures among US adults. Utilizing the 2018-2019 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) database, a sample of 25,274 participants was categorized into four groups based on cancer and sleep disorder status. HRQoL was assessed using the VR-12 questionnaire. Generalized linear model (GLM) with a log-linear regression model combined gamma distribution was applied for the analysis of healthcare expenditure data. Individuals with both cancer and sleep disorders (C+/S+) exhibited notably lower physical health (PCS) and mental health (MCS) scores-1.45 and 1.87 points lower, respectively. They also showed significantly increased clinic visits (2.12 times), outpatient visits (3.59 times), emergency visits (1.69 times), and total medical expenditures (2.08 times) compared to those without cancer or sleep disorders (C-/S-). In contrast, individuals with sleep disorders alone (C-/S+) had the highest number of prescription drug usage (2.26 times) and home health care days (1.76 times) compared to the reference group (C-/S-). Regardless of cancer presence, individuals with sleep disorders consistently reported compromised HRQoL. Furthermore, those with cancer and sleep disorders experienced heightened healthcare resource utilization, underscoring the considerable impact of sleep disorders on overall quality of life. The findings of this study address the importance of sleep disorders among cancer patients and their potential implications for cancer care. Healthcare professionals should prioritize screening, education, and tailored interventions to support sleep health in this population.

Use of a fluoroscopy‐based robotic‐assisted total hip arthroplasty system resulted in greater improvements in hip‐specific outcome measures at one‐year compared to a CT‐based robotic‐assisted system

AbstractBackgroundThe purpose of this study was to compare one‐year patient reported outcome measures between a novel fluoroscopy‐based robotic‐assisted (FL‐RTHA) system and an existing computerised tomography‐based robotic assisted (CT‐RTHA) system.MethodsA review of 85 consecutive FL‐RTHA and 125 consecutive CT‐RTHA was conducted. Outcomes included one‐year post‐operative Veterans RAND‐12 (VR‐12) Physical (PCS)/Mental (MCS), Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome (HOOS) Pain/Physical Function (PS)/Joint replacement, and University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Activity scores.ResultsThe FL‐RTHA cohort had lower pre‐operative VR‐12 PCS, HOOS Pain, HOOS‐PS, HOOS‐JR, and UCLA Activity scores compared with patients in the CT‐RTHA cohort. The FL‐RTHA cohort reported greater improvements in HOOS‐PS scores (−41.54 vs. −36.55; p = 0.028) than the CT‐RTHA cohort. Both cohorts experienced similar rates of major post‐operative complications, and had similar radiographic outcomes.ConclusionsUse of the fluoroscopy‐based robotic system resulted in greater improvements in HOOS‐PS in one‐year relative to the CT‐based robotic technique.

Clinical Outcomes of a Novel Hybrid Transtibial Technique for Femoral Tunnel Drilling in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Large Single-Center Case Series With a Minimum 2-Year Follow-up.

A novel hybrid transtibial (HTT) approach to femoral tunnel drilling in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) has been developed that circumvents the need for knee hyperflexion and orients the graft in the most anatomic position without sacrificing the tunnel length or aperture. Patients who underwent ACLR utilizing the HTT technique would achieve excellent patient-reported outcome scores and experience low rates of graft failure and reoperations. Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Patients who underwent primary ACLR at a single institution between 2005 and 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients treated with the HTT, anteromedial portal (AMP), and transtibial (TT) approaches were matched based on age, sex, and body mass index ±3 kg/m2. Demographic and surgical data as well as femoral tunnel angle measurements on anteroposterior and lateral radiographs were collected for the 3 groups. However, clinical outcomes were only reported for the HTT group because of concerns of graft heterogeneity. A total of 170 patients (median age, 26.5 years [interquartile range (IQR), 18.0-35.0 years]) who underwent ACLR using the HTT approach were included. The median coronal- and sagittal-plane femoral tunnel angles were 47° (IQR, 42°-53°) and 40° (IQR, 34°-46°), respectively. The sagittal-plane femoral tunnel angles in the HTT group were significantly more horizontal compared with those in the TT group (P < .0001), whereas the coronal-plane femoral tunnel angles in the HTT group were found to be significantly more vertical compared with those in the AMP group (P = .001) and more horizontal compared with those in the TT group (P < .0001). The graft failure and reoperation rates in the HTT group at a minimum 2-year follow-up were 1.8% (3/170) and 4.7% (8/170), respectively. The complication rate was 6.5% (11/170), with the most common complication being subjective stiffness in 7 patients. The median Lysholm score was 89.5 (IQR, 79.0-98.0); the median International Knee Documentation Committee score was 83.9 (IQR, 65.5-90.8); and the median Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey physical and mental component summary scores were 55.0 (IQR, 52.6-55.9) and 56.2 (IQR, 49.1-59.3), respectively. ACLR using the HTT technique was associated with low graft retear and revision surgery rates and good patient-reported outcome scores at medium-term follow-up and demonstrated femoral tunnel obliquity on postoperative radiographs that correlated with optimal parameters previously reported in cadaveric and biomechanical studies.

Longitudinal race/ethnicity (R/E) specific trends in patient-reported outcomes (PRO) in elderly women with breast cancer (BC) in the SEER-MHOS database.

e23189 Background: PRO can be used to characterize health-related quality of life in cancer survivors; however, few studies have reported on longitudinal trends. Hence, we examined R/E specific (White/Black/Hispanic) longitudinal trends in physical and mental PRO for elderly women with BC. Methods: Data is from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results- Medicare Health Outcomes Survey (SEER-MHOS). The analytic sample (n = 33,386) included 25,267 White, 4,553 Black, and 3,566 Hispanic women newly diagnosed between 2010-2017 with 10 years of follow-up survey data. Generalized linear models with age/time-stratified predictive margins [means with 95% confidence intervals (CI)] were used to examine age/body mass index-adjusted physical and mental health PRO by R/E as physical and mental component summary t-scores [PCS/MCS: are linear transformation of the 0-100 possible range scoring for 8 Veterans RAND 12 Item Health Survey (VR-12) sub-scales, with mean of 50 and standard deviation (SD) of 10, normed to the US population]. Results: Overall PRO trends for all R/E groups were observed to decrease (i.e., worsen) over the 10 year period, however, trends remained highest for Whites and lowest for Hispanics [average Black/White Risk Difference (RD) (PCS: -3.2; -3.7, -2.8), (MCS: -3.4; -3.8, -2.9); average Hispanic/White RD: (PCS -3.3; -3.8, -2.8), (MCS: -5.4; -5.8, -4.9)]. Compared with White, Black and Hispanic women aged 45 years at diagnosis had significantly worse PRO at 10 years of follow-up [PCS: (White: 39.7; 38.2, 41.2), (Black: 33.7; 29.6, 37.9), (Hispanic: 31.4; 26.7, 36.1); MCS: (White: 47.1; 45.6, 48.5), (Black: 41.2; 37.2, 45.2), (Hispanic: 35.4; 30.8, 38.9)]. Similar disparity in R/E trends was also observed at older age strata (i.e., 55, 65, 75 and 85). For PCS the R/E disparity was no longer significant after 8 years follow-up for age strata 55, 65, and 75, and after 4 years for age strata 85. But for MCS the R/E disparity remained significant up to 8 years follow-up for age strata 55, 65, 75, and 85. With regards to VR-12 sub-scale examination, most of the PCS R/E disparity was likely due to differences in the general-health score; whereas for MCS disparity, it was likely due to differences in social-functioning, role-limitation, and emotional-well-being. Conclusions: Our findings show durable R/E specific disparities in longitudinal physical and mental PRO trends in elderly women with BC; this should inform strategies to optimize healthy aging for BC survivors.

Evaluating Knee Recovery Beyond Patient Reports: A Comparative Study of Smart Implantable Device-Derived Gait Metrics Versus Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Total Knee Arthroplasty

BackgroundTotal Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) is frequently performed for advanced osteoarthritis, with patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) traditionally reporting on efficacy. These subjective evaluations, although useful, may inaccurately reflect post-TKA activity levels. With technological advancements, smart implantable devices (SIDs) offer objective, real-time gait metrics, potentially providing a more accurate postoperative recovery assessment. This study compares these objective metrics with PROMs to evaluate TKA success more effectively. MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study with 88 participants undergoing TKA using a SID. Eligible patients were aged 18 years or older and had advanced osteoarthritis. We excluded those who had bilateral TKAs, joint infections, or neuromuscular disease. The SID system collected daily gait metrics, including step count, distance traveled, walking speed, stride length, cadence, and functional knee range of motion. The PROMs, including Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score–Joint Replacement, Veterans Rand 12 Physical Component Summary, and Veterans Rand 12 Mental Component Summary, were analyzed against SID gait metrics. Among the 88 patients, 80 provided continuous data over 12 weeks. ResultsAll gait metrics, except stride length, significantly increased at the 12-week point (P < .05). The PROMs also significantly improved postoperatively (P < .05). Initial low positive correlations between 12-week PROMs and SID metrics decreased after adjusting for demographic variables, leaving only weak correlations between the Veterans Rand 12 Physical Component Summary and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score–Joint Replacement with functional knee range of motion (r = 0.389, P = .002; r = 0.311, P = .014, respectively), and Veterans Rand 12 Mental Component Summary with step count (r = 0.406, P = .001) and distance traveled (r = 0.376, P = .003). ConclusionsThis study indicates that both PROMs and SID gait metrics show significant improvements post-TKA, though they correlate weakly with each other, suggesting a possible discrepancy between perceived recovery and actual functional improvement. The SID gait metrics might provide a valuable addition to traditional PROMs by offering an objective representation of physical capabilities unaffected by patient compliance or subjective perceptions of recovery. Further research is needed to validate these findings in larger populations and to explore whether integrating SID metrics can enhance long-term functional outcomes.

Cognitive-Behavioral-Based Physical Therapy for Improving Recovery After a Traumatic Lower-Extremity Injury: The Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Lower-extremity injuries can result in severe impairment and substantial years lived with a disability. Persistent pain and psychological distress are risk factors for poor long-term outcomes and negatively influence the recovery process following a traumatic injury. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) interventions have the potential to address these risk factors and subsequently improve outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a telephone-delivered cognitive-behavioral-based physical therapy (CBPT) program on physical function, pain, and general health at 12 months after hospital discharge following lower-extremity trauma. The CBPT program was hypothesized to improve outcomes compared with an education program. A multicenter, randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 325 patients who were 18 to 60 years of age and had at least 1 acute orthopaedic injury to the lower extremity or to the pelvis or acetabulum requiring operative fixation. Patients were recruited from 6 Level-I trauma centers and were screened and randomized to the CBPT program or the education program early after hospital discharge. The primary outcome was the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Physical Function (PF) scale. The secondary outcomes were objective physical function tests (4-square step test, timed stair ascent test, sit-to-stand test, and self-selected walking speed test), PROMIS Pain Intensity and Pain Interference, and the Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey. Treatment effects were calculated using targeted maximum likelihood estimation, a robust analytical approach appropriate for causal inference with longitudinal data. The mean treatment effect on the 12-month baseline change in PROMIS PF was 0.94 (95% confidence interval, -0.68 to 2.64; p = 0.23). There were also no observed differences in secondary outcomes between the intervention group and the control group. The telephone-delivered CBPT did not appear to yield any benefits for patients with traumatic lower-extremity injuries in terms of physical function, pain intensity, pain interference, or general health. Improvements were observed in both groups, which questions the utility of telephone-delivered cognitive-behavioral strategies over educational programs. Therapeutic Level I . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

A Remote Physical Therapy Program Demonstrates Similar Outcomes Compared to In-Person, Supervised Physical Therapy After Same-Day Discharge Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Randomized Clinical Trial

BackgroundA growing number of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients are candidates for same-day discharge (SDD). Previous research has shown that internet-based remote physical therapy (RPT) can produce equivalent outcomes to supervised outpatient physical therapy (OPT) after TKA. We sought to compare outcomes between RPT and OPT in patients undergoing SDD TKA using an electronic remote perioperative management (ERPM) program. MethodsPatients undergoing SDD TKA were enrolled in an ERPM program and randomized to ERPM + RPT or ERPM + OPT. Preoperative and 6-week functional assessments included knee range of motion, timed up and go, and 4-meter gait speed. Numerical Rating Scale pain scores were evaluated preoperatively, at 6 and 12 weeks, and satisfaction was assessed at 6, 12, and 52 weeks postoperatively. Participants completed the Veterans Rand 12 Item Health Survey and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score preoperatively and at 6, 12, and 52 weeks postoperatively. OPT utilization was collected 90 days postoperatively. ResultsOf 197 initially randomized patients, 76 remained in the ERPM + RPT group and 95 in the ERPM + OPT group after withdrawals and crossovers. Baseline characteristics showed no differences between the 2 groups. No clinically relevant differences were observed in knee range of motion, Numerical Rating Scale pain, patient-reported outcomes, functional assessments, or satisfaction at any follow-up time. Participants in the ERPM + OPT group attended an average of 11.57 physical therapy sessions, incurring a total cost of $462.8 and 133 minutes of travel. Conversely, the ERPM + RPT group experienced no expenses or travel time. ConclusionsPatients in the ERPM + RPT group had similar outcomes, lower costs, and saved time compared to patients in the ERPM + OPT group after SDD TKA. Further analysis is needed to determine predictive indicators for crossovers.

Longitudinal association of health behaviors and health-related quality of life with military spouse readiness.

Unhealthy behaviors impose costs on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) reducing productivity and readiness among military members (Hoge et al., JAMA 295:1023-32, 2006; Mansfield et al. 362:101-9, 2010). Among married personnel in particular, patterns of spouse health behaviors may play an interdependent role. As a result, the identification of military spouse health factors related to readiness may inform strategies to screen for and identify those in need of greater support and enhance readiness. This study explored behavioral and HRQOL predictors and potential mediators of military spouse readiness utilizing data from the Millennium Cohort Family Study. The analytic sample comprised of 3257 spouses of active-duty, non-separated service members who responded to both waves 1 and 2 of the survey. Sample characteristics are described with respect to demographics (e.g., age, sex, race/ethnicity, etc.), readiness measures (i.e., military satisfaction, lost workdays, health care utilization, military-related stress, and satisfaction), health behaviors (i.e., exercise, sleep, smoking, and alcohol use) and HRQOL (Veterans RAND 12-Item Short Form Survey). We conducted multivariate mediation analyses to evaluate the role of mental and physical HRQOL as mediators between the baseline health behaviors and the health readiness outcomes at follow-up, while adjusting for spouse and service member demographics. HRQOL had direct effects for all five readiness outcomes examined. Multiple health behaviors (insomnia, smoking, binge drinking, and exercise) were further significantly associated with spouse readiness outcomes, although most effects were mediated through HRQOL, suggesting this may be a useful index of military spouse readiness. Insomnia was the specific health behavior most consistently associated with poorer readiness across outcomes, and effects were only partially mediated by physical and mental HRQOL. The results show spouse health behaviors are directly and indirectly (through HRQOL) associated with readiness indicators. This suggests that assessments of modifiable health behaviors (e.g., insomnia symptoms) and mental and physical HRQOL are important indicators of readiness among military spouses and should be used to inform future programs designed to improve population health.

Characterizing the Magnitude and Risk Factors of Functional and Anatomic Limb Lengthening in Patients Undergoing Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty

BackgroundIn revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA), there is little information on the magnitude of potential limb lengthening, risk factors for lengthening, or its impact on patient-reported outcome measures. We aimed to quantify limb length alteration during revision TKA and assess risk factors for lengthening. MethodsWe identified 150 patients over a 3-year period who underwent revision TKA and had preoperative and postoperative EOS hip-to-ankle standing radiographs. The average patient age was 64 years, 51% were women; 68% had a preoperative varus deformity and 21% had a preoperative valgus deformity. Outcomes assessed included change in functional and anatomic limb length, risk factors for lengthening, and clinical outcome scores, including the Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Score Joint Replacement, and the Veterans RAND 12-item Physical and Mental Scores. ResultsThere were 124 patients (83%) who had functional limb lengthening, and 108 patients (72%) had anatomic limb lengthening. Patients had an average functional limb lengthening of 7 mm (range, −22 to 35) and an average anatomic limb lengthening of 5 mm (range, −16 to 31). Patients undergoing revision for instability experienced significantly greater anatomic lengthening (7.6 versus 4.6, P = .047). Patients who had ≥ 10° of deformity were more likely to be functionally lengthened (91 versus 79%) and had significantly greater average functional lengthening (12 versus 6 mm; P = .003). There was no significant change in clinical outcome scores at 6 weeks and 1 year for patients lengthened ≥ 5 or 10 mm compared to those not lengthened as substantially. ConclusionsThere is major potential for functional and anatomic limb lengthening following revision TKA, with greater preoperative deformity and revision for instability being risk factors for lengthening.

The outcome of revision total hip arthroplasty for instability.

Instability is a common indication for revision total hip arthroplasty (THA). However, even after the initial revision, some patients continue to have recurrent dislocation. The aim of this study was to assess the risk for recurrent dislocation after revision THA for instability. Between 2009 and 2019, 163 patients underwent revision THA for instability at Stanford University Medical Center. Of these, 33 (20.2%) required re-revision due to recurrent dislocation. Cox proportional hazard models, with death and re-revision surgery for periprosthetic infection as competing events, were used to analyze the risk factors, including the size and alignment of the components. Paired t-tests or Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to assess the outcome using the Veterans RAND 12 (VR-12) physical and VR-12 mental scores, the Harris Hip Score (HHS) pain and function, and the Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome score for Joint Replacement (HOOS, JR). The median follow-up was 3.1 years (interquartile range 2.0 to 5.1). The one-year cumulative incidence of recurrent dislocation after revision was 8.7%, which increased to 18.8% at five years and 31.9% at ten years postoperatively. In multivariable analysis, a high American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade (hazard ratio (HR) 2.72 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.13 to 6.60)), BMI between 25 and 30 kg/m2 (HR 4.31 (95% CI 1.52 to 12.27)), the use of specialized liners (HR 5.39 (95% CI 1.97 to 14.79) to 10.55 (95% CI 2.27 to 49.15)), lumbopelvic stiffness (HR 6.03 (95% CI 1.80 to 20.23)), and postoperative abductor weakness (HR 7.48 (95% CI 2.34 to 23.91)) were significant risk factors for recurrent dislocation. Increasing the size of the acetabular component by > 1 mm significantly decreased the risk of dislocation (HR 0.89 (95% CI 0.82 to 0.96)). The VR-12 physical and HHS (pain and function) scores improved significantly at mid term. Patients requiring revision THA for instability are at risk of recurrent dislocation. Higher ASA grades, being overweight, a previous lumbopelvic fusion, the use of specialized liners, and postoperative abductor weakness are significant risk factors.

Limited preoperative forward flexion does not impact outcomes between anatomic or reverse shoulder arthroplasty for primary glenohumeral arthritis

BackgroundAnatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) remains the treatment of choice for primary glenohumeral osteoarthritis with an intact rotator cuff (PGHOA). However, reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) has gained popularity as a primary procedure in selected patients who may be at risk for postoperative rotator cuff dysfunction or glenoid loosening. The purpose of this study was to compare short-term outcomes between TSA and RSA in patients with PGHOA and limited preoperative forward flexion (FF). MethodsA retrospective review was performed on a multi-institutional registry of patients to identify patients aged less than 80 years undergoing TSA or RSA for PGHOA with preoperative FF ≤ 90°. Forty-five TSAs were identified and matched by age and sex to 45 patients undergoing RSA. A subset of 22 TSAs and 24 RSAs with severely limited preoperative FF of ≤ 70° was also analyzed. Range of motion including FF, external rotation and internal rotation, strength, and patient-reported outcomes including visual analog scale pain score, Western Ontario Osteoarthritis of the Shoulder index score, Veterans RAND 12 mental score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, and Constant-Murley score were evaluated at a minimum of 2 years postoperative. ResultsNo significant differences were observed in postoperative FF, external rotation, or strength measurements between groups. The limited FF TSA group achieved significantly improved internal rotation compared to the RSA group (L2 vs. L4, P < .002). No significant differences were observed between TSA and RSA in American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, visual analog scale, Constant, or Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation scores (P > .05) for both the overall comparison and subset of patients with FF of ≤ 70°. However, patients in the RSA cohort showed a significantly higher return to normal sporting activities than the TSA group. ConclusionPatients aged less than 80 years with PGHOA and limited preoperative FF achieve similar postoperative range of motion and patient-reported outcomes whether treated with TSA or RSA. Therefore, limited preoperative FF does not appear to be a major determinant of outcomes for PGHOA.

Preoperative veterans RAND-12 mental composite score of < 35 is associated with increased length of stay and high rates of discharge to rehab after primary total joint arthroplasty.

The association between preoperative mental health and immediate postoperative ambulation in primary Total Joint Arthroplasty (TJA) has sparsely been studied. Thus, this study's objective was to investigate the association between mental health (measured by the Mental Component Score (MCS) from the Veterans RAND 12 (VR-12)) and peri-operative metrics. We conducted a retrospective study of patients who underwent primary TJA and completed a VR-12 questionnaire between January 2018 and June 2023 at a single academic hospital. Patients were stratified into terciles based on preoperative MCS. Patient demographics, ambulation within 4h postop, LOS, and discharge location were compared. The effect of MCS on LOS while controlling discharge location was assessed using negative binomial regression. 1120 patients were included in this analysis (432 THA and 688 TKA). After stratification into terciles (Low: 34.7 ± 6.6, Middle: 49.3 ± 3.7, High:62.1 ± 4.4), comparison of demographics revealed significant differences in age (p = 0.005) and sex distribution (p = 0.04) but no difference in surgery type (p = 0.857). There was no significant difference in ambulation rate between MCS groups (p = 0.789) or in distance covered during first ambulation (p = 0.251). Low MCS patients had a longer LOS (p = 0.000, p = 0.002) and a lower rate of discharged home (p = 0.016). After controlling discharge location, no significant association was found between MCS and LOS (p = 0.288). Patient with low MCS tended to be younger, women, and had poorer preoperative HOOS/KOOS scores. Low MCS was associated with longer LOS and lower rates of discharge home. However, MCS was not associated with early ambulation rate and LOS after controlling discharge location.

Hip Osteoarthritis in Patients Undergoing Surgery for Severe Adult Spinal Deformity: Prevalence and Impact on Spine Surgery Outcomes.

Hip osteoarthritis (OA) is common in patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD). Limited data exist on the prevalence of hip OA in patients with ASD, or on its impact on baseline and postoperative alignment and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Therefore, this paper will assess the prevalence and impact of hip OA on alignment and PROMs. Patients with ASD who underwent L1-pelvis or longer fusions were included. Two independent reviewers graded hip OA with the Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) classification and stratified it by severity into non-severe (KL grade 1 or 2) and severe (KL grade 3 or 4). Radiographic parameters and PROMs were compared among 3 patient groups: Hip-Spine (hip KL grade 3 or 4 bilaterally), Unilateral (UL)-Hip (hip KL grade 3 or 4 unilaterally), or Spine (hip KL grade 1 or 2 bilaterally). Of 520 patients with ASD who met inclusion criteria for an OA prevalence analysis, 34% (177 of 520) had severe bilateral hip OA and unilateral or bilateral hip arthroplasty had been performed in 8.7% (45 of 520). A subset of 165 patients had all data components and were examined: 68 Hip-Spine, 32 UL-Hip, and 65 Spine. Hip-Spine patients were older (67.9 ± 9.5 years, versus 59.6 ± 10.1 years for Spine and 65.8 ± 7.5 years for UL-Hip; p < 0.001) and had a higher frailty index (4.3 ± 2.6, versus 2.7 ± 2.0 for UL-Hip and 2.9 ± 2.0 for Spine; p < 0.001). At 1 year, the groups had similar lumbar lordosis, yet the Hip-Spine patients had a worse sagittal vertebral axis (SVA) measurement (45.9 ± 45.5 mm, versus 25.1 ± 37.1 mm for UL-Hip and 19.0 ± 39.3 mm for Spine; p = 0.001). Hip-Spine patients also had worse Veterans RAND-12 Physical Component Summary scores at baseline (25.7 ± 9.3, versus 28.7 ± 9.8 for UL-Hip and 31.3 ± 10.5 for Spine; p = 0.005) and 1 year postoperatively (34.5 ± 11.4, versus 40.3 ± 10.4 for UL-Hip and 40.1 ± 10.9 for Spine; p = 0.006). This study of operatively treated ASD revealed that 1 in 3 patients had severe hip OA bilaterally. Such patients with severe bilateral hip OA had worse baseline SVA and PROMs that persisted 1 year following ASD surgery, despite correction of lordosis. Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Longitudinal course and predictors of health-related quality of life, mental health, and fatigue, in non-hospitalized individuals with or without post COVID-19 syndrome.

Long-term information on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and mental health of non-hospitalized individuals with "post COVID-19 syndrome" (PCS) is scarce. Thus, the objectives of the present study were to compare HRQOL and mental health of individuals with and without PCS in a German sample of non-hospitalized persons after SARS-CoV-2 infection, to characterize the long-term course up to 2 years and to identify predictors for post COVID-19 impairments. Individuals with past SARS-CoV-2 infection were examined at the University Hospital of Augsburg from November 2020 to May 2021 and completed a postal questionnaire between June and November 2022. Participants who self-reported the presence of fatigue, dyspnea on exertion, memory problems or concentration problems were classified as having PCS. HRQOL was assessed using the Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey, mental health was measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire and the Fatigue Asessment Scale was used to assess fatigue severity. Multivariable linear regression models with inverse probability weighting were used to determine the association between PCS and health outcomes. From the 304 participants (58.2% women, median age 52 years), 210 (69.1%) were classified as having PCS in median 26 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Persons with PCS showed significantly more often depressive and anxiety disorders. PCS was independently and significantly associated with higher levels of depression, post-traumatic stress and fatigue, as well as poorer physical and mental HRQOL in median 9 months as well as 26 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection. A large number of acute symptoms and a prior diagnosis of depression were independently associated with poor mental health and HRQOL. While post-traumatic stress and mental HRQOL improved from 9 months to 26 months post infection onset, depressiveness, fatigue and physical HRQOL remained stable in both, persons with and without PCS. PCS in non-hospitalized persons after SARS-CoV-2 infection is often associated with long-term impairments of mental health and HRQOL outcomes.

Arthroscopic Chondral Ankle Treatment: A Multicenter Outcome Study

Introduction/Purpose: Chondral injuries of the ankle are common, often requiring surgical intervention. The purpose of this multicenter study of ankle osteochondral injuries is to report minimum one year outcomes for patients undergoing arthroscopic surgical treatment. Methods: Thirty-nine patients undergoing arthroscopic surgery to treat chondral ankle injuries between December 2017 and January 2022 were enrolled in the present multicenter study. Intraoperative information including diagnoses and procedures performed were recorded. All patients completed the Visual Analog Scale for Pain (VAS), the Veteran RAND 12-Item Health Survey (VR-12) Physical and Mental component scales, and Foot and Ankle Ability Measure Sports subscale (FAAM-S). These measures were collected at the pre-operative visit within two weeks before surgery and at a minimum of one year post- operatively. Patient demographics and perioperative complications were also recorded. Paired T-test was used to determine statistical significance. Results: Of the thirty-nine patients with a minimum of 1 year follow-up, the average age was 46 years old and 51% were male. Average patient BMI was 29. Laterality was right in 54% of the patients, and 8% of surgeries were revisions. Relative to baseline, there was a significant decrease in VAS at minimum 1-year post-operatively (4.9 to 1.7, p&lt; 0.001). Additionally, the VR-12 Physical was significantly higher at minimum 1-year post-operatively (35.4 to 46.8, p&lt; 0.001). The VR-12 Mental was also significantly higher at minimum 1-year post-operatively (47.6 to 54.6, p=0.005). Finally, there was a significant increase in FAAM Sports (11.3 to 34.0, p&lt; 0.001). There were no recorded complications. Conclusion: For patients undergoing arthroscopic surgery to treat chondral ankle injuries, our study found significant improvements in self-reported pain, overall physical health, overall mental health, and sport activities at minimum one-year follow- ups with no complications.