Which patients with chronic low back pain respond favorably to multidisciplinary rehabilitation? A secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to identify prognostic variables at baseline associated with being responding favorably to multidisciplinary rehabilitation in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). METHODS: A responder analysis was conducted based on data from a randomized controlled trial with 26-week follow-up including 165 patients with CLBP treated at a Danish multidisciplinary rehabilitation center. Patients were dichotomized into responders and non-responders based on the outcome of a minimal clinically important difference of six points on the Oswestry Disability Index. The associations between prognostic variables and responders were analyzed using logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 139 patients completed the study, of which 42% were classified as responders. Sex and employment status were statistically significant, with a decreased odds ratio (OR) of being a responder found for males compared to females (OR = 0.09, 95% CI = 0.02-0.48) and for being on temporary or permanent social benefits (OR = 0.28, 95% CI = 0.10-0.75) compared to being self-supporting or receiving retirement benefits. Statistically significant interaction (OR = 8.84, 95% CI = 1.11-70.12) was found between males and being on temporary or permanent social benefits. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with CLBP, female patients as well as patients who were self-supporting or receiving retirement benefits were significantly more likely than male patients or patients on temporary or permanent social benefits to be a responder to multidisciplinary rehabilitation.

Trajectory for 66 patients treated with periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) and subsequent total hip arthroplasty: a follow-up study including 1378 hips from the Aarhus PAO database.

INTRODUCTION: Outcomes for patients treated with PAO and subsequent total hip arthroplasty (THA) remain unclear. We evaluated patient-reported outcomes among patients treated with PAO and subsequent THA and investigated differences in the number of additional surgical procedures after PAO among patients treated with PAO and subsequent THA and patients treated with PAO only. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 1378 hips underwent PAO and subsequently 66 hips were treated with THA. We evaluated the Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS) and physical activity questions for the 66 hips. Additional surgery after PAO was identified through inquiry to the Danish National Patient Registry. RESULTS: 13% undergoing PAO and subsequent THA reported a HOOS pain score ≤ 50 indicating a clinical failure. The risk difference for hip arthroscopy after PAO within 2 and 4 years was 14% (CI 5-23%) and 26% (CI 15-38%) in favor of hips treated with PAO only. Similarly, the risk difference for screw removal within 2 and 4 years was 19% (CI 8-29%) and 23% (CI 12-34%). CONCLUSION: 87% of patients undergoing PAO and subsequent THA had little or no hip pain. However, these patients received a high number of additional surgeries after PAO. Surgeons and patients may consider if additional surgery after PAO may be the first choice in a series of actions leading to conversion to THA.

Are progressive shoulder exercises feasible in patients with glenohumeral osteoarthritis or rotator cuff tear arthropathy?

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the feasibility of progressive shoulder exercises (PSE) for patients with glenohumeral osteoarthritis (OA) or rotator cuff tear arthropathy (CTA). The aim of this study was to investigate whether 12 weeks of PSE is feasible in patients with glenohumeral OA or CTA eligible for shoulder arthroplasty. Moreover, to report changes in shoulder function and range of motion (ROM) following the exercise program. METHODS: Twenty patients were included. Eighteen patients (11 women, 15 with OA), mean age 70 years (range 57-80), performed 12 weeks of PSE with one weekly physiotherapist-supervised and two weekly home-based sessions. Feasibility was measured by dropout rate, adverse events, pain, and adherence to PSE. At baseline and end of intervention, patients completed the Western Ontario Osteoarthritis of the Shoulder (WOOS) score and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH). Data to assess feasibility were analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Two patients dropped out and no adverse events were observed. Sixteen of the eighteen patients (89%) had a high adherence (≥ 70%) to the physiotherapist-supervised sessions. Acceptable pain levels were reported; in 76% of all exercise sessions with no numeric rating scale (NRS) score over five for any exercise. WOOS improved with a mean of 23 points (95% CI 13;33), and DASH improved with a mean of 13 points (95% CI 6;19). CONCLUSION: Adherence to PSE was high and dropout rates were low. PSE is feasible, safe and may relieve shoulder pain, improve function and ROM in patients with glenohumeral OA or CTA. The patient-experienced gains after PSE seem clinically relevant and should be compared to arthroplasty surgery in a RCT setting. TRIAL REGISTRATION: According to Danish law, this study did not need an approval by the Central Denmark Region Committee on Health Research Ethics. Approval from The Danish Data Protection Agency (journal number 1-16-02-15-20) was obtained.

14-year hip survivorship after periacetabular osteotomy: a follow-up study on 1,385 hips.

Background and purpose - Few studies have evaluated the long- and mid-term outcomes after minimally invasive periacetabular osteotomy (PAO). We investigated: (1) the long-term hip survival rate after PAO; (2) the risk of complications and additional surgery after PAO; and (3) the hip function at different follow-up points.Patients and methods - We reviewed 1,385 hips (1,126 patients) who underwent PAO between January 2004 and December 2017. Through inquiry to the Danish National Patient Registry we identified conversions to total hip arthroplasty (THA) and complications after PAO. We evaluated the Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS) obtained preoperatively, and at 6 months, 2-, 5-, and 10-years' follow-up.Results - 73 of the 1,385 hips were converted to THA. The overall Kaplan-Meier hip survival rate was 80% (95% CI 68-88) at 14 years with a mean follow-up of 5 years (0.03-14). 1.1% of the hips had a complication requiring surgical intervention. The most common additional surgery was removal of screws (13%) and 11% received a hip arthroscopy. At the 2-year follow-up, HOOS pain improved by a mean of 26 points (CI 24-28) and a HOOS pain score > 50 was observed in 86%.Interpretation - PAO preserved 4 of 5 hips at 14 years, with higher age leading to lower survivorship. The PAO technique was shown to be safe; 1.1% of patients had a complication that demanded surgical intervention. The majority of the patients with preserved hips have no or low pain. The operation is effective with a good clinical outcome.