Why do some people with osteoarthritis and obesity awaiting hip or knee arthroplasty achieve successful weight management? A qualitative study.

AIM: To explore perceived barriers and enablers to weight management among people with obesity awaiting total knee or hip arthroplasty. DESIGN: A nested qualitative study within a multi-centre, quasi-experimental pilot study comparing usual care weight management to a dietitian-led weight-loss diet. METHODS: Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with adults with end-stage osteoarthritis and a body mass index ≥30 kg/m2 waitlisted for primary total knee or hip arthroplasty. Participants with diverse sociodemographic characteristics and varied success with weight management in the pilot study were purposively sampled. Interviews were analysed using inductive thematic analysis, underpinned by constructivist-interpretivist epistemology. The Patient Activation Measure and Health Literacy Questionnaire were used for context when interpreting the findings. RESULTS: Twenty-five participant interviews were conducted with a sociodemographically varied sample (aged 44-80 years, 9 born in Australia, 6 in paid employment and 11 lost ≥5% of their baseline weight). Four identified themes underpinned successful weight management: beliefs, adaptability, navigating healthcare and sociocultural context. Beliefs about whether weight was perceived as a problem, the expectation of weight loss and treatment-related beliefs influenced participants' perspectives towards weight loss. Adaptability, the ability to overcome barriers to weight loss, comprised three subthemes; readiness to act, degree of independence and problem-solving skills. Approaches towards navigating healthcare influenced uptake and adherence to weight management recommendations. Importantly, these themes were dependent on social and environmental circumstances, which influenced the type of barriers experienced and resources available to the individual. CONCLUSION: Differences in a person's beliefs, their ability to adapt and navigate healthcare and sociocultural context appear to explain successful weight management among people with end-stage arthritis. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE: Clinicians should allow for individualisation cognisant of the identified themes when providing advice and treatment to promote adherence to weight management interventions. IMPACT: This study explored perceived barriers and enablers to weight management among people with obesity awaiting total knee or hip arthroplasty. Four identified themes underpinned successful weight management: beliefs, adaptability, navigating healthcare and sociocultural context. Beliefs about whether weight was perceived as a problem, the expectation of weight loss and treatment-related beliefs influenced participants' perspectives towards weight loss. Understanding and assessing the contribution of each factor may guide weight management from clinicians treating patients with obesity and osteoarthritis. REPORTING METHOD: The data are reported using the COREQ guidelines. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Patients contributed to the data collected.

High and low value care recommended and undertaken prior to knee or hip arthroplasty: a survey study.

INTRODUCTION: National and international clinical practice guidelines have stratified the value of osteoarthritis (OA) interventions. Interventions with strong evidence supporting effectiveness and benefit are 'high value care'. Appointment attendance, audits and practitioner surveys are widely used to determine frequency of recommendations and adherence to high value care. Greater patient reported data is needed in this evidence base. OBJECTIVE: To describe the frequency of high and low value care being recommended and undertaken by individuals awaiting OA-related lower limb arthroplasty. To examine sociodemographic or disease-related variables associated with being recommended different levels of care. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of 339 individuals was conducted in metropolitan and regional hospitals and surgeon consultation rooms across New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Individuals attending pre-arthroplasty clinics/appointments for primary arthroplasty of the hip and/or knee were invited to participate. Respondents were asked what intervention(s) they were recommended by healthcare practitioners, or other sources of information, and what they had undertaken within two years prior to hip or knee arthroplasty. Interventions were classified as core, recommended, and low value care aligned with the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) guidelines. We considered core and recommended interventions high value. The proportion of recommended and undertaken interventions were calculated. We used backwards stepwise multivariate multinomial regression to address aim three. RESULTS: Simple analgesics were most frequently recommended (68% [95% CI 62.9 to 73.1]). 24.8% [20.2 to 29.7] of respondents were recommended high value care only. 75.2% [70.2 to 79.7] of respondents were recommended at least one low value intervention. More than 75% of recommended interventions were undertaken. Respondents awaiting hip arthroplasty, living outside a major city and without private health insurance had greater odds of recommended rather than core interventions being advised. CONCLUSION: While high value interventions are being recommended to individuals living with OA, in most cases they are combined with recommendations for low value care. This is concerning given the high rates of uptake for recommended interventions. Based on patient reported data, disease-related and sociodemographic variables influence the level of care recommended.

Patient factors associated with referral to inpatient rehabilitation following knee or hip arthroplasty in a public sector cohort: A prognostic factor study.

RATIONALE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Inpatient rehabilitation following total knee or hip arthroplasty (TKA, THA) is resource intensive and expensive. Understanding who is referred is integral to the discourse concerning service and cost reform. This study aimed to determine patient prognostic factors associated with referral to inpatient rehabilitation following TKA or THA in a public sector setting. In this setting, surgeon or patient choice does not drive referral. METHOD: Prognostic factor research based on secondary analysis of prospectively collected data. Consecutive people undergo elective, primary TKA, or THA at a high-volume public hospital. The outcome was referral to inpatient rehabilitation after acute care. Patient variables including sociodemographic, comorbidity, and complication details were used in multivariable logistic regression to determine the prognostic factors associated with referral. RESULTS: Five hundred twenty people were included; 9.2% experienced the outcome. In the multivariable model, acute complications (OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.6-7.8), TKA surgery (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.0-9.4), renal disease (OR 4.4, 95% CI 1.4-13.3), and higher body mass index (OR 1.1, 95% CI 1.0-1.2) were associated with referral; unilateral surgery (OR 0.1 (95% CI 0.01-0.2) and previous arthroplasty (OR 0.3 (95% CI 0.1-0.8) were protective. There were no significant associations found for sociodemographic factors (such as gender and residential status) in the multivariable model. CONCLUSION: In the absence of choice, physical impairment and health factors are associated with referral to inpatient rehabilitation following TKA or THA.

Implementing early mobilisation after knee or hip arthroplasty to reduce length of stay: a quality improvement study with embedded qualitative component.

BACKGROUND: Models of care for managing total knee or hip arthroplasty (TKA, THA) incorporating early mobilisation are associated with shorter acute length-of-stay (LOS). Few studies have examined the effect of implementing early mobilisation in isolation, however. This study aimed to determine if an accelerated mobilisation protocol implemented in isolation is associated with a reduced LOS without undermining care. METHOD: A Before-After (quasi-experimental) study was used. Standard practice pre-implementation of the new protocol was physiotherapist-led mobilisation once per day commencing on post-operative Day 1 (Before phase). The new protocol (After phase) aimed to mobilise patients four times by end of Day 2 including an attempt to commence on Day 0; physiotherapy weekend coverage was necessarily increased. Poisson regression modelling was used to determine associations between study period and LOS. Additional outcomes to 12 weeks post-surgery were monitored to identify unintended consequences of the new protocol. Time to first mobilisation (hours) and proportion mobilising Day 0 were monitored to assess protocol compliance. An embedded qualitative component captured staff perspectives of the new protocol. RESULTS: Five hundred twenty consecutive patients (n = 278, Before; n = 242, After) were included. The new protocol was associated with no change in unadjusted LOS, a small reduction in adjusted LOS (8.1%, p = 0.046), a reduction in time to first mobilisation (28.5 (10.8) vs 22.6 (8.1) hrs, p < 0.001), and an increase in the proportion mobilising Day 0 (0 vs 7%, p < 0.001). Greater improvements were curtailed by an unexpected decrease in physiotherapy staffing (After phase). There were no significant changes to the rates of complications or readmissions, joint-specific pain and function scores or health-related quality of life to 12 weeks post-surgery. Qualitative findings of 11 multidisciplinary team members highlighted the importance of morning surgery, staffing, and well-defined roles. CONCLUSION: Small reductions in LOS are possible utilising an early mobilisation protocol in isolation after TKA or THA although staff burden is increased likely undermining both sustainability and the magnitude of the change. Simultaneous incorporation of other changes within the pathway would likely secure larger reductions in LOS.

Associations between pre-surgical daily opioid use and short-term outcomes following knee or hip arthroplasty: a prospective, exploratory cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Retrospective studies have found that daily opioid use pre-arthroplasty predicts worse longer-term service, clinical and patient-reported outcomes. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these observations. This prospective, exploratory study aimed to determine: the proportion of total knee or hip arthroplasty (TKA, THA) patients who use opioids regularly (daily) pre-surgery; if opioid use pre-surgery is associated with acute and sub-acute outcomes to 12-weeks post-surgery. METHODS: Consecutive patients undergoing primary TKA or THA were prospectively enrolled pre-surgery and followed-up by telephone to 12-weeks post-surgery. Acute-care (oral morphine equivalent dosage (OMED), length of stay, discharge to inpatient rehabilitation, complications) and 12-week outcomes (Oxford Knee or Hip Score, Euroqol 'today' health score, current use of opioids, and complications including readmissions) were monitored. Unadjusted and adjusted Odds Ratios (ORs) (95% Confidence Interval, CI), Rate Ratios and ß coefficients (standard error) were calculated. RESULTS: Five Hundred Twenty-One patients were included (TKA n = 381). 15.7% (95%CI 12.6 to 18.9) used opioids regularly pre-surgery. 86.8% (452/521) were available for follow-up at 12-weeks. In unadjusted analyses, pre-surgical opioid use was significantly associated with higher average acute daily OMED [ß 0.40 (0.07), p <  0.001], presence of an acute complication [OR 1.75 (1.02 to 3.00)], and ongoing use of opioids at 12-weeks [OR 5.06 (2.86 to 8.93)]. After adjusting for covariates, opioid use pre-surgery remained significantly associated with average acute daily OMED [ß 0.40 (0.07), p <  0.001] and ongoing use at 12-weeks [OR 5.38 (2.89 to 9.99)]. CONCLUSION: People who take daily opioids pre-surgery have significantly greater odds for greater opioid consumption acutely and ongoing use post-surgery. Adequately powered prospective studies are required to confirm whether pre-surgical opioid use is or is not associated with poorer joint and quality of life scores or a complication in the short-term.

Patient factors associated with weight gain and weight loss after knee or hip arthroplasty.

OBJECTIVES: Following total knee or total hip arthroplasty (TKA, THA), up to 31% of recipients experience significant weight gain while up to 14% experience significant weight loss. Factors associated with significant weight change (≥5% of baseline weight) have not been comprehensively explored. This study aimed to identify pre- and post-surgical (including current) patient factors associated with significant weight change three years after surgery. METHODS: A pre-existing nationally-acquired cohort who underwent TKA or THA for osteoarthritis participated in 3-year telephone follow-up. Updated weight, comorbidity, and complication data were collected along with ongoing index joint problems and other patient-reported outcomes including global improvement. These data, along with body mass index (BMI) pre-surgery and post-surgery rehabilitation received, were incorporated into two multivariable logistic regression models to determine separately the factors associated with ≥5% weight gain and ≥5% loss at 3-years post-surgery. RESULTS: 73.4% (1289/1757) participated in the follow-up; 1191 (n = 663 TKA) provided updated weight data. Patterns of weight change were similar for both surgeries (TKA: 16.1% gained ≥5%, 19.6% lost ≥5%; THA: 15.8% gained ≥5%, 17.8% lost ≥5%). In multivariable modelling, younger age and lower pre-surgery BMI were significantly associated with weight gain; female gender and an absence of ongoing index joint issues were associated with weight loss. CONCLUSION: Different mechanisms are likely associated with significant weight gain or loss at 3-years post-surgery. Cogent weight management entails consideration of both outcomes. Many post-surgical factors appear not to be importantly associated with weight change.

Minimal detectable change for mobility and patient-reported tools in people with osteoarthritis awaiting arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Thoughtful use of assessment tools to monitor disease requires an understanding of clinimetric properties. These properties are often under-reported and, thus, potentially overlooked in the clinic. This study aimed to determine the minimal detectable change (MDC) and coefficient of variation per cent (CV%) for tools commonly used to assess the symptomatic and functional severity of knee and hip osteoarthritis. METHODS: We performed a test-retest study on 136 people awaiting knee or hip arthroplasty at one of two hospitals. The MDC95 (the range over which the difference [change] for 95% of patients is expected to lie) and the coefficient of variation per cent (CV%) for the visual analogue scale (VAS) for joint pain, the six-minute walk test (6MWT), the timed up-and-go (TUG) test, the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and the Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS) subscales were calculated. RESULTS: Knee cohort (n = 75) - The MDC95 and CV% values were as follows: VAS 2.8 cm, 15%; 6MWT 79 m, 8%; TUG +/-36.7%, 13%; KOOS pain 20.2, 19%; KOOS symptoms 24.1, 22%; KOOS activities of daily living 20.8, 17%; KOOS quality of life 26.6, 44. Hip cohort (n = 61) - The MDC95 and CV% values were as follows: VAS 3.3 cm, 17%; 6MWT 81.5 m, 9%; TUG +/-44.6%, 16%; HOOS pain 21.6, 22%; HOOS symptoms 22.7, 19%; HOOS activities of daily living 17.7, 17%; HOOS quality of life 24.4, 43%. CONCLUSIONS: Distinguishing real change from error is difficult in people with severe osteoarthritis. The 6MWT demonstrates the smallest measurement error amongst a range of tools commonly used to assess disease severity, thus, has the capacity to detect the smallest real change above measurement error in everyday clinical practice.

Tourniquet application only during cement fixation in total knee arthroplasty: a double-blind, randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The functional benefits of tourniquet application for short periods compared with standard duration applications during total knee arthroplasty surgery have not been well explored. We aimed to compare functional outcomes between tourniquet application of short duration (during cement fixation only) and tourniquet application of longer duration (from skin incision to just after cement fixation). METHODS: We planned to randomize 230 patients to short and long duration groups. The primary outcome was Oxford Knee Score at 10 weeks post-surgery. In-hospital blood transfusion rate was also a primary safety measure. Serial measures of knee function were taken together with knee range, quadriceps lag and timed stair tests. RESULTS: The trial was discontinued after randomization of 65 patients. Interim analysis indicated a higher risk of transfusion (odds ratio 7.38, P= 0.015) in the short duration group. No significant difference was observed in Oxford Knee Score at 10 weeks. There were no between-group differences in rate of recovery up to 52 weeks for any outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Restricting tourniquet application to the period of cementing is associated with a significantly higher risk of transfusion. This approach is impractical if it is not offset by gains in functional recovery.

Is discharge knee range of motion a useful and relevant clinical indicator after total knee replacement? Part 1.

OBJECTIVES: Knee range of motion (ROM) at the point of discharge from acute care is used as a clinical indicator to benchmark performance between hospital services after total knee replacement (TKR). The utility of the current benchmark, including whether discharge ROM varies between hospitals, is unknown. This study aimed to determine whether the benchmark [≥80 degrees flexion and ≤5 degrees fixed flexion (extension)] is realistic and whether the service provider is a predictor of knee ROM. METHODS: A prospective, observational cohort study was conducted involving 176 TKR patients from four hospitals. Knee ROM was photographically assessed preoperatively and at discharge. 'Hospital', typical patient demographic data and preoperative ROM were identified a priori as potential predictors of knee ROM. RESULTS: Overall, 2% [95% CI (confidence interval) 1-6] of patients attained the ROM benchmark. Individual hospital attainment of the benchmark ranged 0-7% with a significant difference (P = 0.047) evident between the best performer and the remaining hospitals. The overall rates of attainment of the individual flexion (25%, 95% CI 19-32) and extension (15%, 95% CI 10-21) components were similarly low, although the scatter between hospitals was large [flexion (2-47%); extension (8-44%)]. Preoperative flexion and hospital were significant (P = 0.002) predictors of discharge flexion, explaining 21% of the variance. Similarly, hospital and preoperative extension together with gender were significant (P < 0.001) predictors of discharge extension, explaining 26% of the variance. CONCLUSIONS: A small minority of patients attained the knee ROM benchmark, indicating the existing standard is unrealistic. Nevertheless, that 'hospital' is an important predictor confirms the potential of ROM for benchmarking purposes. Differences in physiotherapy practices may contribute to inter-hospital variation in discharge knee ROM together with other undefined factors. The causal relationships explaining the variation and the relationship between discharge ROM and longer-term outcome are avenues for future exploration which will help define the clinical relevance of the indicator.

Is discharge knee range of motion a useful and relevant clinical indicator after total knee replacement? Part 2.

OBJECTIVE: Knee range of motion (ROM) at discharge from acute care is used as a clinical indicator following total knee replacement (TKR) surgery. This study aimed to assess the clinical relevance of this indicator by determining whether discharge knee ROM predicts longer-term knee ROM and patient-reported knee pain and function. METHODS: A total of 176 TKR recipients were prospectively followed after discharge from acute care. Outcomes assessed included knee ROM and Oxford knee score post rehabilitation and 1 year post surgery. Discharge ROM and other patient factors were identified a priori as potential predictors in multiple linear regression modelling. RESULTS: A total of 133 (76%) and 141 (80%) patients were available for follow-up post rehabilitation [mean postoperative week 8.1 (SD 2.7)] and at 1 year [mean postoperative month 12.1 (SD 1.4)], respectively. Greater discharge knee flexion was a significant (P < 0.001) predictor of greater post-rehabilitation flexion but not 1-year knee flexion (P < 0.083). Better discharge knee extension was a significant predictor of better post-rehabilitation (P = 0.001) and 1-year knee extension (P = 0.013). Preoperative Oxford score and post-rehabilitation knee flexion independently predicted post-rehabilitation Oxford score, and gender predicted 1-year Oxford score. Discharge ROM did not significantly predict Oxford score in either model. CONCLUSION: The finding that early knee range predicts longer-term range provides clinical evidence favouring the relevance of discharge knee ROM as a clinical indicator. Although longer-term patient-reported knee pain and function were not directly associated with discharge knee ROM, they were associated with ROM when measured concurrently in the sub-acute phase. No causal effect has been demonstrated, but the findings suggest it may be important for physiotherapists to maximize range in the early and sub-acute periods.