Objectives. A lack of connection between surgeons and patients in evaluating the outcome of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has led to the search for the ideal patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) to evaluate these procedures. We hypothesised that the desired psychometric properties of the ideal outcome tool have not been uniformly addressed in studies describing TKA PROMS. Methods. A systematic review was conducted investigating one or more facets of patient-reported scores for measuring primary TKA outcome. Studies were analysed by study design, subject demographics, surgical technique, and follow-up adequacy, with the ‘gold standard’ of psychometric properties being systematic development, validity, reliability, and responsiveness. Results. A total of 38 articles reported outcomes from 47 different PROMS to 85 541 subjects at 26.3 months (standard deviation 30.8) post-operatively. Of the 38, eight developed new scores, 20 evaluated existing scores, and ten were cross-cultural adaptation of existing scores. Only six of 38 surveyed studies acknowledged all ‘gold standard’ psychometric properties. The most commonly studied PROMS were the Oxford Knee Score, New Knee Society Score, Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index. Conclusions. A single, validated, reliable, and responsive PROM addressing TKA patients’ priorities has not yet been identified. Moreover, a clear definition of a successful procedure remains elusive. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2015;4:120–127

Introduction. Patellar tendinopathy is a highly prevalent clinical diagnosis supported by ultrasound changes. Numerous interventions are targeted at improving both symptoms and structure of dysfunctional tendons, however little is known of the diagnostic value in a changing ultrasound profile whilst patient reported outcome measures determine recovery. The aim of this study was to assess if change in ultrasound measure is congruent with change in Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment – Patella (VISA-P) score and therefore indicates the use of using ultrasound to assess patellar tendinopathy during symptom change. Method. Four databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cinahl) were search in January 2014. Studies selected contained ultrasound and VISA-P scores from ≥ 2 type points. All included studies were quality assessed depending on type and available data underwent meta-analysis. Result. 10 papers of varying study type, of limited to high quality, were synthesised. Meta-analysis indicated that change in ultrasound measure was not congruent with change in VISA-P score. Conclusion. The variation in study quality, along with significant heterogeneity of ultrasound measure outcomes and reporting may influence the congruency of the data, but the association between gradual structure change and varying vascularity with pain or function is questionable throughout tendinopathy literature

Aims. Glenoid bone loss is a significant problem in the management of shoulder instability. The threshold at which the bone loss is considered “critical” requiring bony reconstruction has steadily dropped and is now approximately 15%. This necessitates accurate measurement in order that the correct operation is performed. CT scanning is the most commonly used modality and there are a number of techniques described to measure the bone loss however few have been validated. The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of the most commonly used techniques for measuring glenoid bone loss on CT. Methods. Anatomically accurate models with known glenoid diameter and degree of bone loss were used to determine the mathematical and statistical accuracy of six of the most commonly described techniques (relative diameter, linear ipsilateral circle of best fit (COBF), linear contralateral COBF, Pico, Sugaya, and circle line methods). The models were prepared at 13.8%, 17.6%, and 22.9% bone loss. Sequential CT scans were taken and randomized. Blinded reviewers made repeated measurements using the different techniques with a threshold for theoretical bone grafting set at 15%. Results. At 13.8%, only the Pico technique measured under the threshold. At 17.6% and 22.9% bone loss all techniques measured above the threshold. The Pico technique was 97.1% accurate, but had a high false-negative rate and poor sensitivity underestimating the need for grafting. The Sugaya technique had 100% specificity but 25% of the measurements were incorrectly above the threshold. A contralateral COBF underestimates the area by 16% and the diameter by 5 to 7%. Conclusion. No one method stands out as being truly accurate and clinicians need to be aware of the limitations of their chosen technique. They are not interchangeable, and caution must be used when reading the literature as comparisons are not reliable. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2023;4(7):478–489

Aims. To map literature on prognostic factors related to outcomes of revision total knee arthroplasty (rTKA), to identify extensively studied factors and to guide future research into what domains need further exploration. Methods. We performed a systematic literature search in MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science. The search string included multiple synonyms of the following keywords: "revision TKA", "outcome" and "prognostic factor". We searched for studies assessing the association between at least one prognostic factor and at least one outcome measure after rTKA surgery. Data on sample size, study design, prognostic factors, outcomes, and the direction of the association was extracted and included in an evidence map. Results. After screening of 5,660 articles, we included 166 studies reporting prognostic factors for outcomes after rTKA, with a median sample size of 319 patients (30 to 303,867). Overall, 50% of the studies reported prospectively collected data, and 61% of the studies were performed in a single centre. In some studies, multiple associations were reported; 180 different prognostic factors were reported in these studies. The three most frequently studied prognostic factors were reason for revision (213 times), sex (125 times), and BMI (117 times). Studies focusing on functional scores and patient-reported outcome measures as prognostic factor for the outcome after surgery were limited (n = 42). The studies reported 154 different outcomes. The most commonly reported outcomes after rTKA were: re-revision (155 times), readmission (88 times), and reinfection (85 times). Only five studies included costs as outcome. Conclusion. Outcomes and prognostic factors that are routinely registered as part of clinical practice (e.g. BMI, sex, complications) or in (inter)national registries are studied frequently. Studies on prognostic factors, such as functional and sociodemographic status, and outcomes as healthcare costs, cognitive and mental function, and psychosocial impact are scarce, while they have been shown to be important for patients with osteoarthritis. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2023;4(5):338–356

Aims. The Single Assessment Numerical Evalution (SANE) score is a pragmatic alternative to longer patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). The purpose of this study was to investigate the concurrent validity of the SANE and hip-specific PROMs in a generalized population of patients with hip pain at a single timepoint upon initial visit with an orthopaedic surgeon who is a hip preservation specialist. We hypothesized that SANE would have a strong correlation with the 12-question International Hip Outcome Tool (iHOT)-12, the Hip Outcome Score (HOS), and the Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS), providing evidence for concurrent validity of the SANE and hip-specific outcome measures in patients with hip pain. Methods. This study was a cross-sectional retrospective database analysis at a single timepoint. Data were collected from 2,782 patients at initial evaluation with a hip preservation specialist using the iHOT-12, HOS, HOOS, and SANE. Outcome scores were retrospectively analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients. Results. Mean raw scores were iHOT-12 67.01 (SD 29.52), HOS 58.42 (SD 26.26), HOOS 86.85 (SD 32.94), and SANE 49.60 (SD 27.92). SANE was moderately correlated with the iHOT-12 (r = -0.4; 95% CI -0.35 to -0.44; p < 0.001), HOS (r = 0.57; 95% CI 0.53 to 0.60; p < 0.001), and HOOS (r = -0.55; 95% CI -0.51 to -0.58; p < 0.001). The iHOT-12 and HOOS were recorded as a lower score, indicating better function, which accounts for the negative r values. Conclusion. This study was the first to investigate the relationship between the SANE and the iHOT-12, HOS, and HOOS in a population of patients with hip pain at the initial evaluation with an orthopaedic surgeon, and found moderate correlation between SANE and the iHOT-12, HOS, and HOOS. The SANE may be a pragmatic alternative for clinical benchmarking in a general population of patients with hip pain. The construct validity of the SANE should be questioned compared to legacy measures whose content validity has been more rigorously investigated. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2024;5(10):904–910

Malalignment is often postulated as the main reason for the high failure rate of total ankle replacements (TARs). Only a few studies have been performed to correlate radiographic TAR malalignment to the clinical outcome, but no consistent trends between TAR alignment parameters and the clinical outcome were found. No standard TAR alignment measurement method is present, so reliable comparison between studies is difficult. Standardizing TAR alignment measurements and increasing measurable parameters on radiographs in the clinic might lead to a better insight into the correlation between malalignment and the clinical outcome. This study aims to develop and validate a tool to semi-automatic measure TAR alignment, and to improve alignment measurement on radiographs in the clinic. A tool to semi-automatically measure TAR alignment on anteroposterior and lateral radiographs was developed and used by two observers to measure TAR alignment parameters of ten patients. The Intraclass Coefficient (ICC) was calculated and accuracy was compared to the manual measurement method commonly used in the clinic. The tool showed an accuracy of 76% compared to 71% for the method used during follow-up in the clinic. ICC values were 0.94 (p<0.01) and higher for both inter-and intra-observer reliability. The tool presents an accurate, consistent, and reliable method to measure TAR alignment parameters. Three-dimensional alignment parameters are obtained from two-dimensional radiographs, and as the tool can be applied to any TAR design, it offers a valuable addition in the clinic and for research purposes

Abstract. Aim. This study aims to Inter and intra observer reliability compare, use of a standard goniometer (SG) to measure intermetacarpal angle (degrees) vs use of a new technique of using a digital vernier calliper (DVC) (mm) to measure the distance between the first and second metacarpal head. Method. Maximal active abduction and extension of both thumbs was measured in 20 healthy volunteers on two occasions at least one week apart by two assessors. Results. The inter and intra-observer agreement was higher & the variance of the data was lower using the DVC with the new technique than the SG for both thumb abduction and extension. Additionally, the correlation between measurement of extension and abduction was higher using the DVC than the SG. Conclusion. Whilst both tools provide acceptable intra and inter-observer agreement, the new technique using a DVC is consistently better and more reliable than a SG in measuring thumb abduction and extension. The study also supports our hypothesis that the thumb rotates around the second metacarpal head with a consistent radius

Aims. The aims of this study were to assess quality of life after hip fractures, to characterize respondents to patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), and to describe the recovery trajectory of hip fracture patients. Methods. Data on 35,206 hip fractures (2014 to 2018; 67.2% female) in the Norwegian Hip Fracture Register were linked to data from the Norwegian Patient Registry and Statistics Norway. PROMs data were collected using the EuroQol five-dimension three-level questionnaire (EQ-5D-3L) scoring instrument and living patients were invited to respond at four, 12, and 36 months post fracture. Multiple imputation procedures were performed as a model to substitute missing PROM data. Differences in response rates between categories of covariates were analyzed using chi-squared test statistics. The association between patient and socioeconomic characteristics and the reported EQ-5D-3L scores was analyzed using linear regression. Results. The median age was 83 years (interquartile range 76 to 90), and 3,561 (10%) lived in a healthcare facility. Observed mean pre-fracture EQ-5D-3L index score was 0.81 (95% confidence interval 0.803 to 0.810), which decreased to 0.66 at four months, to 0.70 at 12 months, and to 0.73 at 36 months. In the imputed datasets, the reduction from pre-fracture was similar (0.15 points) but an improvement up to 36 months was modest (0.01 to 0.03 points). Patients with higher age, male sex, severe comorbidity, cognitive impairment, lower income, lower education, and those in residential care facilities had a lower proportion of respondents, and systematically reported a lower health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The response pattern of patients influenced scores significantly, and the highest scores are found in patients reporting scores at all observation times. Conclusion. Hip fracture leads to a persistent reduction in measured HRQoL, up to 36 months. The patients’ health and socioeconomic status were associated with the proportion of patients returning PROM data for analysis, and affected the results reported. Observed EQ-5D-3L scores are affected by attrition and selection bias mechanisms and motivate the use of statistical modelling for adjustment. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2024;106-B(4):394–400

Knee swelling is common after injury or surgery, resulting in pain, restricted range of movement and limited mobility. Accurately measuring knee swelling is critical to assess recovery. However, current measurement methods are either unreliable or expensive [1,2]. Therefore, a new measurement method is developed. This wearable (the ‘smart brace’) has shown the ability to distinguish a swollen knee from a not swollen knee using multi-frequency-bio impedance analysis (MF-BIA) [3]. This study aimed to determine the accuracy of this smart brace. The study involved 25 usable measurements on patients treated for unilateral knee osteoartritis with a 5mL injection of Lidocaïne + DepoMedrol (1:4). MF-BIA measurements were taken before and after the injection, both on the treated and untreated knee. The smart brace accurately measured the effect of the injection by a decrease in resistance of up to 2.6% at 100kHz (p<0.01), where commonly used gel electrodes were unable to measure the relative difference. Remarkably, both the smart brace and gel electrodes showed a time component in the MF-BIA measurements. To further investigate this time component, 10 participants were asked to lie down for 30 minutes, with measurements taken every 3 minutes using both gel electrodes and the smart brace on both legs. The relative change between each time step was calculated to determine changes over time. The results showed presence of a physiological aspect (settling of knee fluids), and for the brace also a mechanical aspect (skin-electrode interface) [4]. The mechanical aspect mainly interfered with reactance values. Overall, the smart brace is a feasible method for quantitatively measuring knee swelling as a relative change over time. However, the skin-electrode interface should be improved for reliable measurements at different moments in time. The findings suggest that the smart brace could be a promising tool for monitoring knee swelling during rehabilitation

Aims. Assessment of bone mineral density (BMD) with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is a well-established clinical technique, but it is not available in the acute trauma setting. Thus, it cannot provide a preoperative estimation of BMD to help guide the technique of fracture fixation. Alternative methods that have been suggested for assessing BMD include: 1) cortical measures, such as cortical ratios and combined cortical scores; and 2) aluminium grading systems from preoperative digital radiographs. However, limited research has been performed in this area to validate the different methods. The aim of this study was to investigate the evaluation of BMD from digital radiographs by comparing various methods against DXA scanning. Methods. A total of 54 patients with distal radial fractures were included in the study. Each underwent posteroanterior (PA) and lateral radiographs of the injured wrist with an aluminium step wedge. Overall 27 patients underwent routine DXA scanning of the hip and lumbar spine, with 13 undergoing additional DXA scanning of the uninjured forearm. Analysis of radiographs was performed on ImageJ and Matlab with calculations of cortical measures, cortical indices, combined cortical scores, and aluminium equivalent grading. Results. Cortical measures showed varying correlations with the forearm DXA results (range: Pearson correlation coefficient (r) = 0.343 (p = 0.251) to r = 0.521 (p = 0.068)), with none showing statistically significant correlations. Aluminium equivalent grading showed statistically significant correlations with the forearm DXA of the corresponding region of interest (p < 0.017). Conclusion. Cortical measures, cortical indices, and combined cortical scores did not show a statistically significant correlation to forearm DXA measures. Aluminium-equivalent is an easily applicable method for estimation of BMD from digital radiographs in the preoperative setting. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2021;10(12):830–839

Aims. Patients undergoing limb reconstruction surgery often face a challenging and lengthy process to complete their treatment journey. The majority of existing outcome measures do not adequately capture the patient-reported outcomes relevant to this patient group in a single measure. Following a previous systematic review, the Stanmore Limb Reconstruction Score (SLRS) was designed with the intent to address this need for an effective instrument to measure patient-reported outcomes in limb reconstruction patients. We aim to assess the face validity of this score in a pilot study. Methods. The SLRS was designed following structured interviews with several groups including patients who have undergone limb reconstruction surgery, limb reconstruction surgeons, specialist nurses, and physiotherapists. This has subsequently undergone further adjustment for language and clarity. The score was then trialled on ten patients who had undergone limb reconstruction surgery, with subsequent structured questioning to understand the perceived suitability of the score. Results. Ten patients completed the score and the subsequent structured interview. Considering the tool as a whole, 100% of respondents felt the score to be comprehensible, relevant, and comprehensive regarding the areas that were important to a patient undergoing limb reconstruction surgery. For individual questions, on a five-point Likert scale, importance/relevance was reported as a mean of 4.78 (4.3 to 5.0), with ability to understand rated as 4.92 (4.7 to 5.0) suggesting high levels of relevance and comprehension. Flesch-Kincaid reading grade level was calculated as 5.2 (10 to 11 years old). Conclusion. The current SLRS has been shown to have acceptable scores from a patient sample regarding relevance, comprehensibility, and comprehensiveness. This suggests face validity, however further testing required and is ongoing in a larger cohort of patients to determine the reliability, responsiveness, precision, and criterion validity of the score in this patient group. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2021;2(9):705–709

Aims. Lower limb reconstruction (LLR) has a profound impact on patients, affecting multiple areas of their lives. Many patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are employed to assess these impacts; however, there are concerns that they do not adequately capture all outcomes important to patients, and may lack content validity in this context. This review explored whether PROMs used with adults requiring, undergoing, or after undergoing LLR exhibited content validity and adequately captured outcomes considered relevant and important to patients. Methods. A total of 37 PROMs were identified. Systematic searches were performed to retrieve content validity studies in the adult LLR population, and hand-searches used to find PROM development studies. Content validity assessments for each measure were performed following Consensus-based Standards for the selection of health measurement Instruments (COSMIN) guidelines. A mapping exercise compared all PROMs to a conceptual framework previously developed by the study team (‘the PROLLIT framework’) to explore whether each PROM covered important and relevant concepts. Results. The systematic searches found 13 studies, while hand searches found 50 PROM development studies, and copies of all 37 measures. Although several studies discussed content validity, none were found which formally assessed this measurement property in the adult LLR population. Development of many PROMs was rated as inadequate, no PROM had sufficient content validity in the study population, and none covered all areas of the PROLLIT framework. The LIMB-Q was the most promising and comprehensive measure assessed, although further validation in a wider sample of LLR patients was recommended. Conclusion. Current PROMs used in adults requiring, undergoing, or after undergoing LLR lack content validity and do not assess all important and relevant outcomes. There is an urgent need for improved outcome measurement in this population. This can be achieved through development of a new PROM, or through validation of existing measures in representative samples. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2024;5(12):1049–1066

As the field of hip arthroscopy continues to develop, functional measures and testing become increasingly important in patient selection, managing patient expectations prior to surgery, and physical readiness for return to athletic participation. The Hip Sport Test (HST) was developed to assess strength, coordination, agility, and range of motion prior to and following hip arthroscopy as a functional assessment. However, the relationship between HST and hip strength, range of motion, and hip-specific patient reported outcome (PRO) measures have not been investigated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the HST scores and measurements of hip strength and range of motion prior to undergoing hip arthroscopy. Between September 2009 and January 2017, patients aged 18-40 who underwent primary hip arthroscopy for the treatment of femoroacetabular impingement with available pre-operative HST, dynamometry, range of motion, and functional scores (mHHS, WOMAC, HOS-SSS) were identified. Patients were excluded if they were 40 years old, had a Tegner activity score < 7, or did not have HST and dynamometry evaluations within one week of each other. Muscle strength scores were compared between affected and unaffected side to establish a percent difference with a positive score indicating a weaker affected limb and a negative score indicating a stronger affected limb. Correlations were made between HST and strength testing, range of motion, and PROs. A total of 350 patients met inclusion criteria. The average age was 26.9 ± 6.5 years, with 34% females and 36% professional athletes. Total and component HST scores were significantly associated with measure of strength most strongly for flexion (rs = −0.20, p < 0 .001), extension (rs = −0.24, p<.001) and external rotation (rs = −0.20, p < 0 .001). Lateral and diagonal agility, components of HST, were also significantly associated with muscle strength imbalances between internal rotation versus external rotation (rs = −0.18, p=0.01) and flexion versus extension (rs = 0.12, p=0.03). In terms of range of motion, a significant correlation was detected between HST and internal rotation (rs = −0.19, p < 0 .001). Both the total and component HST scores were positively correlated with pre-operative mHHS, WOMAC, and HOS-SSS (p<.001 for all rs). The Hip Sport Test correlates with strength, range of motion, and PROs in the preoperative setting of hip arthroscopy. This test alone and in combination with other diagnostic examinations can provide valuable information about initial hip function and patient prognosis

Aims. Although CT is considered the benchmark to measure femoral version, 3D biplanar radiography (hipEOS) has recently emerged as a possible alternative with reduced exposure to ionizing radiation and shorter examination time. The aim of our study was to evaluate femoral stem version in postoperative total hip arthroplasty (THA) patients and compare the accuracy of hipEOS to CT. We hypothesize that there will be no significant difference in calculated femoral stem version measurements between the two imaging methods. Methods. In this study, 45 patients who underwent THA between February 2016 and February 2020 and had both a postoperative CT and EOS scan were included for evaluation. A fellowship-trained musculoskeletal radiologist and radiological technician measured femoral version for CT and 3D EOS, respectively. Comparison of values for each imaging modality were assessed for statistical significance. Results. Comparison of the mean postoperative femoral stem version measurements between CT and 3D hipEOS showed no significant difference (p = 0.862). In addition, the two version measurements were strongly correlated (r = 0.95; p < 0.001), and the mean paired difference in postoperative femoral version for CT scan and 3D biplanar radiography was -0.09° (95% confidence interval -1.09 to 0.91). Only three stem measurements (6.7%) were considered outliers with a > 5° difference. Conclusion. Our study supports the use of low-dose biplanar radiography for the postoperative assessment of femoral stem version after THA, demonstrating high correlation with CT. We found no significant difference for postoperative femoral version when comparing CT to 3D EOS. We believe 3D EOS is a reliable option to measure postoperative femoral version given its advantages of lower radiation dosage and shorter examination time. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(11):1196–1201

Introduction. LIMB-Q Kids is a new patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) for children with Lower limb differences (LLDs). The objective is to conduct an international field test study. Materials & Methods. A mixed method multiphase approach was used to develop LIMB-Q Kids. In phase one, a systematic review was conducted to identify concepts from existing PROMs used in research with children with LLDs. A preliminary conceptual framework derived from the systematic review informed an international qualitative study. The data from qualitative interviews were used to form the LIMB-Q Kids, which was further refined through multiple rounds of cognitive debriefing interviews with children. Input was obtained from parents and healthcare professionals from Australia, Canada, Ethiopia, India, UK, and the USA. LIMB-Q Kids was translated and culturally adapted into multiple languages. Results. The final field-test version consists of 11 scales (159 items) that measure appearance, physical function, symptoms (hip, knee, ankle, foot, and leg), leg-related distress, and school, social and psychological function. This version was rigorously translated into Danish and German. Translations that are in progress include Arabic, Finnish, Hindi, Swahili, Portuguese, Spanish, and Luganda. An international field-test study is underway in nine countries (15 sites with a target recruitment of 150 participants per country). At the time of abstract submission, 190 patients from seven sites have completed LIMB-Q Kids. The UK collaborative has worked on language adaption for the UK and is currently validating the score across five paediatric limb reconstruction units. Conclusions. No internationally applicable PROM exists for children with LLDs. We present the current progress in developing and validating such a score. Data from the international field-test study will be used to reduce items and perform psychometric testing of LIMB-Q Kids. The rigorous translation and cultural adaption process will provide versions of LIMB-Q Kids in different languages. Once completed, the LIMB-Q Kids will provide a common metric for outcome assessment for children with lower limb differences internationally

Aims. The aims of this study were to determine if an increasing serum cobalt (Co) and/or chromium (Cr) concentration is correlated with a decreasing Harris Hip Score (HHS) and Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS) in patients who received the Articular Surface Replacement (ASR) hip resurfacing arthroplasty (HRA), and to evaluate the ten-year revision rate and show if sex, inclination angle, and Co level influenced the revision rate. Methods. A total of 62 patients with an ASR-HRA were included and monitored yearly postoperatively. At follow-up, serum Co and Cr levels were measured and the HHS and the HOOS were scored. In addition, preoperative patient and implant variables and the need for revision surgery were recorded. We used a linear mixed model to relate the serum Co and Cr levels to different patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). For the survival analyses we used the Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression model. Results. We found that an increase of one part per billion (ppb) in serum Co and Cr levels correlated significantly with worsening of the HHS in the following year. This significant correlation was also true for the HOOS-Pain and HOOS-quality of life sub scores. The overall ten-year survival rate in our cohort was 65% (95% confidence interval (CI) 52.5 to 77.6). Cox regression analysis showed a significant hazard ratio (HR) of 1.08 (95% CI 1.01 to 1.15; p = 0.028) for serum Co level. No significance was found with sex or inclination angle. Conclusion. This study shows that increasing serum Co and Cr levels measured in patients with an ASR-HRA are predictive for deterioration in HHS and HOOS subscales in the following year. Increasing serum Co and Cr should forewarn both surgeon and patient that there is a heightened risk of failure. Continued and regular review of patients with an ASR-HRA implant by measurement of serum Co/Cr levels and PROMs remains essential. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2023;105-B(7):775–782

The aim of this work was to develop a novel, accessible and low-cost method, which is sufficient to measure changes in meniscal position in a whole-knee joint model performing dynamic motion in a knee simulator. An optical tracking method using motion markers, MATLAB (MATLAB, The MathWorks Inc.) and a miniature camera system (Raspberry Pi, UK) was developed. Method feasibility was assessed on porcine whole joint knee samples (n = 4) dissected and cemented to be used in the simulator (1). Markers were placed on three regions (medial, posterior, anterior) of the medial meniscus with corresponding reference markers on the tibial plateau, so the relative meniscal position could be calculated. The Leeds high kinematics gait profile scaled to the parameters of a pig (1, 2) was driven in displacement control at 0.5 Hz. Videos were recorded at cycle-3 and cycle-50. Conditions tested were the capsule retained (intact), capsule removed and a medial posterior root tear. Mean relative displacement values were taken at time-points relating to the peaks of the axial force and flexion-extension gait inputs, as well as the range between the maximum and minimum values. A one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey post hoc analysis were used to assess differences (p = 0.05). The method was able to measure relative meniscal displacement for all three meniscal regions. The medial region showed the greatest difference between the conditions. A significant increase (p < 0.05) for the root tear condition was found at 0.28s and 0.90s (axial load peaks) during cycle-3. Mean relative displacement for the root tear condition decreased by 0.29 mm between cycle-3 and cycle-50 at the 0.28s time-point. No statistically significant differences were found when ranges were compared at cycle-3 and cycle-50. The method was sensitive to measure a substantial difference in medial-lateral relative displacement between an intact and a torn state. Meniscus extrusion was detected for the root tear condition throughout test duration. Further work will progress onto human specimens and apply an intervention condition

Aims. Patient-reported outcome measures have become an important part of routine care. The aim of this study was to determine if Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) measures can be used to create patient subgroups for individuals seeking orthopaedic care. Methods. This was a cross-sectional study of patients from Duke University Department of Orthopaedic Surgery clinics (14 ambulatory and four hospital-based). There were two separate cohorts recruited by convenience sampling (i.e. patients were included in the analysis only if they completed PROMIS measures during a new patient visit). Cohort #1 (n = 12,141; December 2017 to December 2018,) included PROMIS short forms for eight domains (Physical Function, Pain Interference, Pain Intensity, Depression, Anxiety, Sleep Quality, Participation in Social Roles, and Fatigue) and Cohort #2 (n = 4,638; January 2019 to August 2019) included PROMIS Computer Adaptive Testing instruments for four domains (Physical Function, Pain Interference, Depression, and Sleep Quality). Cluster analysis (K-means method) empirically derived subgroups and subgroup differences in clinical and sociodemographic factors were identified with one-way analysis of variance. Results. Cluster analysis yielded four subgroups with similar clinical characteristics in Cohort #1 and #2. The subgroups were: 1) Normal Function: within normal limits in Physical Function, Pain Interference, Depression, and Sleep Quality; 2) Mild Impairment: mild deficits in Physical Function, Pain Interference, and Sleep Quality but with Depression within normal limits; 3) Impaired Function, Not Distressed: moderate deficits in Physical Function and Pain Interference, but within normal limits for Depression and Sleep Quality; and 4) Impaired Function, Distressed: moderate (Physical Function, Pain Interference, and Sleep Quality) and mild (Depression) deficits. Conclusion. These findings suggest orthopaedic patient subgroups differing in physical function, pain, and psychosocial distress can be created from as few as four different PROMIS measures. Longitudinal research is necessary to determine whether these subgroups have prognostic validity. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2021;2(7):493–502

Aims. The paediatric trigger thumb is a distinct clinical entity with unique anatomical abnormalities. The aim of this study was to present the long-term outcomes of A1 pulley release in idiopathic paediatric trigger thumbs based on established patient-reported outcome measures. Methods. This study was a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study conducted at a tertiary care orthopaedic centre. All cases of idiopathic paediatric trigger thumbs which underwent A1 pulley release between 2004 and 2011 and had a minimum follow-up period of ten years were included in the study. The abbreviated version of the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire (QuickDASH) was administered as an online survey, and ipsi- and contralateral thumb motion was assessed. Results. A total of 67 patients completed the survey, of whom 63 (94%) had full interphalangeal joint extension or hyperextension. Severe metacarpophalangeal joint hyperextension (> 40°) was documented in 15 cases (22%). The median QuickDASH score was 0 (0 to 61), indicating excellent function at a median follow-up of 15 years (10 to 19). Overall satisfaction was high, with 56 patients (84%) reporting the maximal satisfaction score of 5. Among 37 patients who underwent surgery at age ≤ two years, 34 (92%) reported the largest satisfaction, whereas this was the case for 22 of 30 patients (73%) with surgery at aged > two years (p = 0.053). Notta’s nodule resolved in 49 patients (73%) at final follow-up. No residual triggering or revision surgery was observed. Conclusion. Surgical release of A1 pulley in paediatric trigger thumb is an acceptable procedure with excellent functional long-term outcomes. There was a trend towards higher satisfaction with earlier surgery among the patients. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2024;5(9):736–741

Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are being used increasingly in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We conducted a systematic review aimed at identifying psychometrically sound PROMs by appraising their measurement properties. Studies concerning the development and/or evaluation of the measurement properties of PROMs used in a TKA population were systematically retrieved via PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Scopus. Ratings for methodological quality and measurement properties were conducted according to updated COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) methodology. Of the 155 articles on 34 instruments included, nine PROMs met the minimum requirements for psychometric validation and can be recommended to use as measures of TKA outcome: Oxford Knee Score (OKS); OKS–Activity and Participation Questionnaire (OKS-APQ); 12-item short form Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome (KOOS-12); KOOS Physical function Short form (KOOS-PS); Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index-Total Knee Replacement function short form (WOMAC-TKR); Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS); Forgotten Joint Score (FJS); Patient’s Knee Implant Performance (PKIP); and University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) activity score. The pain and function subscales in WOMAC, as well as the pain, function, and quality of life subscales in KOOS, were validated psychometrically as standalone subscales instead of as whole instruments. However, none of the included PROMs have been validated for all measurement properties. Thus, further studies are still warranted to evaluate those PROMs. Use of the other 25 scales and subscales should be tempered until further studies validate their measurement properties. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2021;10(3):203–217