Return to Daily Activities, Work, and Sports at 3 Months After Total Hip Arthroplasty.

Background: It is largely unknown if and when patients return to daily activities after undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) and which factors might influence this return. This study aimed to assess the percentages of patients who had been able to return to daily activities, work, and sports at 3 months after THA. Furthermore, the time to return and factors influencing the return (patient characteristics, surgical characteristics, and preoperative patient-reported outcomes) were assessed. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent THA was performed with use of prospectively collected data. At 3 months postoperatively, patients completed a questionnaire regarding their return to 16 different activities across the categories of daily activities, work, and sports. The percentage of patients who returned to an activity, the time to return, and factors influencing the return were analyzed with use of logistic regression models utilizing backward selection. Results: A total of 2,006 patients were studied. Most of the studied activities had been returned to by the majority of patients at 3 months after THA, with the percentage of patients who returned to an activity ranging from 28.8% to 97.9%. The mean or median time to return to an activity ranged from 1 to 56 days after THA. For 13 out of 16 activities, 1 or more of the studied factors influenced the return to the activity. R2 values ranged from 0.057 to 0.273. Conclusions: At 3 months after THA, 8 out of 10 patients had returned to daily activities, 7 out of 10 had returned to work, and 5 out of 10 had returned to sports. Factors that clearly influenced the return to daily activities, work, and sports could not be established. These findings might be useful in setting realistic expectations when counselling patients on their return to daily activities, work, and sports after THA. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Quality of total hip arthroplasty health care based on four years of patient-reported outcomes in the Netherlands.

BACKGROUND: Joint arthroplasty registries have incorporated patient-reported outcomes (PROs) to evaluate outcomes from a patients' perspective to improve total hip arthroplasty (THA). To draw valid conclusions on PROs, a minimum response rate (RR) of 60% is advised. This study investigated (1) if the quality of THA health care based on PROs improved over the years in the Netherlands, (2) if RRs improved over the years, and (3) difference in PROs over the years in hospitals with RR ≥ 60% compared to RR < 60%. METHODS: Longitudinal study with publicly available datasets from 2016 to 2019. Primary outcome was increase/decrease in PRO change scores including 95%CI ranges over the years between preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively (pre-3 m), and 12 months postoperatively (pre-12 m). Improved quality of health care was arbitrary defined as when ≥ 3 of 4 included scores or ranges were statistically significant improved. Secondary outcome was increase/decrease in RRs over the years. Subgroups RR ≥ 60% and RR < 60% were compared. RESULTS: Hospitals (%) collecting THA PROs increased from 78 to 92%. EQ VAS change score increased over the years, and 95%CI ranges of EQ VAS, EQ-5D descriptive system and NRS pain during activity decreased over the years at pre-3 m (p < 0.05). All THA pre-12 m PRO change scores and 95%CI ranges remained equal (p > 0.05). Pre-3 m RR remained equal (around 43%, p = 0.107) and pre-12 m RR decreased 9% (49% to 40%, p = 0.008). Pre-3 m subgroup RR ≥ 60% was too small to analyse (5%). No difference was found between pre-12 m subgroups (RR ≥ 60% = 16%), p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Quality of THA health care based on PROs seems equal in the Netherlands between 2016 and 2019. Although more hospitals participated in PRO collection, low RRs with large IQRs are observed and only 16% of the hospitals achieved the advised RR ≥ 60%. Multiple recommendations are provided to improve PRO collection and use.

Meeting movement quantity or quality return to sport criteria is associated with reduced second ACL injury rate.

The purposes of this prospective cohort study were (1) to assess if second anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury rate 2 years after ACL reconstruction (ACLR) in those who returned to pivoting sport was associated with meeting (a) quantitative return to sport (RTS) criteria, (b) qualitative RTS criteria, and (c) combined quantitative and qualitative RTS criteria, and (2) to determine why athletes did not return to their preinjury (level of) sport. Athletes after ACLR performed RTS tests immediately before RTS: seven movement quantity (strength and hop test battery) and two movement quality (countermovement jump with LESS score and hop-and-hold test) tests. A 2-year postoperative questionnaire asked for RTS, reasons for not returning to the same (level of) sport and second ACL injuries. One hundred and forty-four athletes (82%) completed the questionnaire and 97 of them returned to a pivoting sport. Seven of these athletes had a second ACL injury. Meeting the hop test battery RTS criterion (absolute risk reduction 11%; p = .047) and hop-and-hold test RTS criterion (absolute risk reduction 15%; p = .031) were both significantly associated with a reduced second ACL injury rate. Meeting combined RTS criteria were not significantly associated with second ACL injury rate. Therefore, RTS tests after ACLR should at least comprise a hop test battery or the hop-and-hold test to reduce second ACL injury risk after return to pivoting sport. Also, one-third of all athletes mentioned fear of reinjury as the main reason for not returning to their preinjury (level of) sport. This psychological component should be taken seriously and discussed during rehabilitation.

A Patient-Reported Outcome Tool to Triage Total Hip Arthroplasty Patients to Hospital or Video Consultation: Pilot Study With Expert Panels and a Cohort of 1228 Patients.

BACKGROUND: The digital transformation in health care has been accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Video consultation has become the alternative for hospital consultation. It remains unknown how to select patients suitable for video consultation. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop a tool based on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) to triage total hip arthroplasty (THA) patients to hospital or video consultation. METHODS: A pilot study with expert panels and a retrospective cohort with prospectively collected data from 1228 THA patients was executed. The primary outcome was a PRO triage tool to allocate THA patients to hospital or video consultation 6 weeks postoperatively. Expert panels defined the criteria and selected the patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) questions including thresholds. Data were divided into training and test cohorts. Distribution, floor effect, correlation, responsiveness, PRO patient journey, and homogeneity of the selected questions were investigated in the training cohort. The test cohort was used to provide an unbiased evaluation of the final triage tool. RESULTS: The expert panels selected moderate or severe pain and using 2 crutches as the triage tool criteria. PROM questions included in the final triage tool were numeric rating scale (NRS) pain during activity, 3-level version of the EuroQol 5 dimensions (EQ-5D-3L) questions 1 and 4, and Oxford Hip Score (OHS) questions 6, 8, and 12. Of the training cohort, 201 (201/703, 28.6%) patients needed a hospital consultation, which was statistically equal to the 150 (150/463, 32.4%) patients in the test cohort who needed a hospital consultation (P=.19). CONCLUSIONS: A PRO triage tool based on moderate or severe pain and using 2 crutches was developed. Around 70% of THA patients could safely have a video consultation, and 30% needed a hospital consultation 6 weeks postoperatively. This tool is promising for selecting patients for video consultation while using an existing PROM infrastructure.

Is Patient Satisfaction After Total Knee Arthroplasty Predictable Using Patient Characteristics and Preoperative Patient-Reported Outcomes?

BACKGROUND: Dissatisfaction after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) remains a difficult problem. Patient characteristics and preoperative patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are potential predictors of satisfaction one year after TKA. Being able to predict the outcome preoperatively might reduce the number of less satisfied patients. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study on prospectively collected data of 1239 primary TKA patients (ASA I-II, BMI <35) was performed. Primary outcome was degree of patient satisfaction one year after TKA (Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) 0-10). Secondary outcomes were degree of patient satisfaction six months and two years after TKA and being dissatisfied (NRS 0-6) or satisfied (NRS 7-10) at all three time points. Multivariate linear and binary logistic regression analyses were executed with patient characteristics and preoperative PROs as potential predictors. RESULTS: One year after TKA, median NRS satisfaction score was 9.0 (8.0-10.0) and 1117 (90.2%) patients were satisfied. BMI, degree of medial cartilage damage, previous knee surgery, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score-Physical Function Short Form score, EQ VAS score, and anxiety were identified as predictors of the degree of patient satisfaction (P = .000, R2 = 0.027). Models on secondary outcomes reported R2 of 1.7%-7.1% (P < .05). All models showed bad agreement between observed and predicted values for lower NRS satisfaction scores and being dissatisfied. CONCLUSION: The degree of patient satisfaction and the chance of being dissatisfied or satisfied six months, one, and two years after TKA are predictable by patient characteristics and preoperative PROs but not at a reliability level that is clinically useful.

A Clinical Journey Mobile Health App for Perioperative Patients: Cross-sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Mobile eHealth apps are important tools in personal health care management. The Patient Journey app was developed to inform patients with musculoskeletal disorders during their perioperative period. The app contains timely information, video exercises, and functional tasks. Although the Patient Journey app and other health apps are widely used, little research is available on how patients appreciate these apps. OBJECTIVE: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the user-friendliness of the Patient Journey app in terms of its usability and the attitudes of users toward the app. The secondary aim was to evaluate positive and negative user experiences. METHODS: A web-based questionnaire was sent to 2114 patients scheduled for surgery for a musculoskeletal disorder. Primary outcomes were usability (measured with the System Usability Scale) and user attitudes regarding the Patient Journey app (assessed with the second part of the eHealth Impact Questionnaire). The secondary outcomes were evaluated with multiple choice questions and open-ended questions, which were analyzed via inductive thematic content analyses. RESULTS: Of the 940 patients who responded, 526 used the Patient Journey app. The usability of the app was high (System Usability Scale: median 85.0, IQR 72.5-92.5), and users had a positive attitude toward the Information and Presentation provided via the app (eHealth Impact Questionnaire: median 78.0, IQR 68.8-84.4). The app did not adequately improve the users' confidence in discussing health with others (eHealth Impact Questionnaire: median 63.9, IQR 50.0-75.0) or motivation to manage health (eHealth Impact Questionnaire: median 61.1, IQR 55.6-72.2). Three core themes emerged regarding positive and negative user experiences: (1) content and information, (2) expectations and experiences, and (3) technical performance. Users experienced timely information and instructions positively and found that the app prepared and guided them optimally through the perioperative period. Negative user experiences were overly optimistic information, scarcely presented information about pain (medication), lack of reference data, insufficient information regarding clinical course deviations and complications, and lack of interaction with clinicians. CONCLUSIONS: The Patient Journey app is a usable, informative, and presentable tool to inform patients with musculoskeletal disorders during their perioperative period. The qualitative analyses identified aspects that can further improve the user experiences of the app.

No difference in patient satisfaction after mobile bearing or fixed bearing medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty.

PURPOSE: Medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) has excellent survival rates using one of the two implant designs: mobile bearing (MB) or fixed bearing (FB). There is a lack of studies comparing patient-reported outcomes (PROs) of both implants. This study aimed to document and compare PROs of MB UKA to FB UKA at 6, 12 and 24 months after surgery. METHODS: A single high-volume surgeon, retrospective cohort study with prospectively collected data of two groups of UKA patients, with a MB (n = 66) or FB (n = 97) implant. Primary outcome was patient satisfaction (0-10; NRS). Secondary outcomes were pain at rest (NRS), pain during activity (NRS), function (OKS, KOOS-PS), quality of life (EQ-5D-3L), anchor pain, anchor function and anchor recovery. PROs were collected 6, 12 and 24 months postoperatively. The complication rate and revision rate within one year after surgery were recorded. RESULTS: For the MB group, the median NRS satisfaction score was 9.0 (8.0-10.0) compared to 9.0 (8.0-9.5) for the FB group at 6 months (p = 0.620). Similar scores were found at 12 and 24 months; both MB 9.0 (8.0-10.0) and FB 9.0 (8.0-10.0) (p = 0.556 and p = 0.522, respectively). There were no statistically significant differences between MB and FB groups in all secondary outcomes postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Medial UKA performed by a high-volume surgeon, using a MB or a FB implant, results in excellent patient satisfaction, pain relief, functional improvement and quality of life improvement at 6, 12 and 24 months after surgery. The recommendation and use of one over the other is not justified based on the outcomes in the current study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

What is the minimum response rate on patient-reported outcome measures needed to adequately evaluate total hip arthroplasties?

BACKGROUND: Unknown is which response rate on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) is needed to both obtain an accurate outcome and ensure generalizability in evaluating total hip arthroplasty (THA) procedures. Without an evidence based minimum response rate (MRR) on THA PROMs, it is possible that hospitals report invalid patient-reported outcomes (PROs) due to a too low response rate. Alternatively, hospitals may invest too much in achieving an unnecessary high response rate. The aim of this study is to gain an insight into the MRR on PROMs needed to adequately evaluate THA procedures from a clinical perspective. METHODS: Retrospective study on prospective collected data of primary, elective THA procedures was performed. MRR was investigated for each PROM (NRS pain at rest, NRS pain during activity, EQ-5D-3L, HOOS-PS, anchor function, OHS, anchor pain and NRS satisfaction) separately to calculate the primary outcome: MRR for the THA PROMs set. MRR on a PROM needed to have (condition 1.) similar PRO change score (3 month score minus preoperative score) including confidence interval, (condition 2.) maintaining the influence of each change score predictor and (condition 3.) equal distribution of each predictor, as those of a 100% PROM response rate group. Per PROM, a 100%-group was identified with all patients having the PRO change score. Randomly assessed groups of 90% till 10% response rate (in total 90 groups) were compared with the 100%-group. Linear mixed model analyses and linear regressions were executed. RESULTS: The MRR for the THA PROMs set was 100% (range: 70-100% per PROM). The first condition resulted in a MRR of 60%, the second condition in a MRR of 100% and the third condition in a MRR of 10%. CONCLUSIONS: A 100% response rate on PROMs is needed in order to adequately evaluate THA procedures from a clinical perspective. All stakeholders using THA PROs should be aware that 100% of the THA patients should respond on both preoperative and 3 month postoperative PROMs. For now, taking the first step in improving evaluation of THA for quality control by achieving at least two of the three conditions of MRR, advised is to require a response rate on PROMs of 60% as the lower limit.

Leg-amplitude differentiation guided by haptic and visual feedback to detect alterations in motor flexibility due to Total Knee Replacement.

Following total knee replacement (TKR), patients often persist in maladaptive motor behavior which they developed before surgery to cope with symptoms of osteoarthritis. An important challenge in physical therapy is to detect, recognize and change such undesired movement behavior. The goal of this study was to measure the differences in clinical status of patients pre-TKR and post-TKR and to investigate if differences in clinical status were accompanied by differences in the patients'' motor flexibility. Eleven TKR participants were measured twice: pre-TKR and post-TKR (twenty weeks after TKR). In order to infer maladaptation, the pre-TKR and post-TKR measurements of the patient group were separately compared to one measurement in a control group of fourteen healthy individuals. Clinical status was measured with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain and knee stiffness and the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS). Furthermore, Lower-limb motor flexibility was assessed by means of a treadmill walking task and a leg-amplitude differentiation task (LAD-task) supported by haptic or visual feedback. Motor flexibility was measured by coordination variability (standard deviation (SD) of relative phase between the legs) and temporal variability (sample entropy) of both leg movements. In the TKR-group, the VAS-pain and VAS- stiffness and the subscales of the KOOS significantly decreased after TKR. In treadmill walking, lower-limb motor flexibility did not significantly change after TKR. Between-leg coordination variability was significantly lower post-TKR compared to controls. In the LAD-task, a significant decrease of between-leg coordination variability between pre-TKR and post-TKR was accompanied by a significant increase in temporal variability. Post-TKR-values of lower-limb flexibility approached the values of the control group. The results demonstrate that a clinically relevant change in clinical status, twenty weeks after TKR, is not accompanied by alterations in lower-limb motor flexibility during treadmill walking but is accompanied by changes in motor flexibility towards the level of healthy controls during a LAD-task with visual and haptic feedback. Challenging patients with non-preferred movements such as amplitude differentiation may be a promising tool in clinical assessment of motor flexibility following TKR.

Effectiveness of a Mobile eHealth App in Guiding Patients in Pain Control and Opiate Use After Total Knee Replacement: Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about pain and opiate use at home directly after total knee replacement (TKR). Due to adverse effects, low opiate use is desired. An electronic health app (PainCoach) was developed to guide patients in pain control and opiate use. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this paper was to investigate the effects of the PainCoach app on pain control and opiate use in patients who underwent TKR during the first 2 weeks at home after surgery. METHODS: In an unblinded randomized controlled trial, patients scheduled for TKR were offline recruited and randomized to a PainCoach group or control group. In the PainCoach group, the PainCoach app was downloaded on each patient's smartphone or tablet. In response to the patient's input of the pain experienced, the PainCoach app gave advice on pain medication use, exercises/rest, and when to call the clinic. This advice was the same as that received during usual care. The control group received usual care. The primary outcomes were opiate use and visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores at rest, during activity, and at night during the first 2 weeks at home after surgery, which were collected daily from day 1 until 14 postoperatively by online questionnaires. The actual amount of app use was recorded, and active use was defined as ≥12 total app uses. RESULTS: The pain scores did not differ between the groups. The PainCoach group (n=38) used 23.2% less opiates (95% CI -38.3 to -4.4; P=.02) and 14.6% more acetaminophen (95% CI 8.2-21.3; P<.001) when compared with the findings in the control group (n=33). The PainCoach app was used 12 (IQR 4.5-22.0) times per patient. In the active PainCoach subgroup (n=19), the following were noted when compared with the findings in the control group: 4.1 times faster reduction of the VAS pain score during activity (95% CI -7.5 to -0.8; P=.02), 6.3 times faster reduction of the VAS pain score at night (95% CI -10.1 to -2.6; P=.001), 44.3% less opiate use (95% CI -59.4 to -23.5; P<.001), 76.3% less gabapentin use (95% CI -86.0 to -59.8; P<.001), and 21.0% more acetaminophen use (95% CI 12.6-30.0; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: The use of the PainCoach app contributes to reduced opiate use in the initial period at home after TKR. Active use of this app leads to a further reduction in opiate use and improved pain control. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03961152; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03961152.

Response rate and costs for automated patient-reported outcomes collection alone compared to combined automated and manual collection.

BACKGROUND: The response rate on patient-reported outcome measurements (PROMs) necessary to adequately evaluate a treatment and improve patient care is unknown. Hospitals generally aim for the highest possible response rate without insight into the increase in costs involved. This study aimed to investigate which PROMs response rate is achievable in relation to the costs in an orthopaedic practice. METHODS: In an observational study, patients planned for orthopaedic surgery were asked to participate per surgical procedure (5769 surgical procedures at 5300 patients). Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) collection with a digital online automated PROMs collection system (minimal effort) was compared to a combined automated system and manual collection (maximal effort). Response rate was calculated preoperative and at two postoperative time points separately, and on all three time points together. Costs were calculated for the study period, per year and per surgical procedure. Calculations were executed for all surgical procedures and for three subgroups: knee arthroplasty, hip arthroplasty and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). RESULTS: Using maximal effort the response rate increased for all surgical procedures compared to minimal effort; the preoperative response rate from 86% to 100% and the postoperative response rates from 55% to 83% (3 or 6 months) and 53% to 83% (12 months). Concerning the response at all three time points for all surgical procedures, minimal effort resulted in 44% response rate and increased to 76% with maximal effort. Lowest postoperative response rates were found in the ACLR group for both maximal and minimal effort. A costs difference of €5.55-€5.98 per surgical procedure between maximal and minimal effort was found. CONCLUSIONS: A two times higher PROMs response rate for patients responding at all three time points (44% versus 76%) is achievable with maximal effort compared to the use of an automated PROMs collection system only. Manual collection adds a cost of €5.5-€6 per surgical procedure to automated PROMs collection alone. It is debatable if these additional costs are justifiable from a value-based health care perspective as the response rate for adequate evaluation of a treatment is still unknown.

Cross-cultural adaptation and measurement properties of the Dutch knee self efficacy scale (K-SES).

BACKGROUND: Self-efficacy is related to outcome after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears. The Knee Self Efficacy Scale (K-SES) available in Swedish and English, was developed to measure self-efficacy in present (K-SESpresent) and future (K-SESfuture) functioning. The objective of this study was to determine measurement properties of the K-SES in Dutch patients. METHODS: The K-SES was translated and structural validity, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and measurement error were assessed in three patient samples: one group completed the questionnaire and additional measures pre-surgery (N = 200), and one group post-surgery (N = 58). The third group (post-surgery) completed the K-SES twice (N = 50). RESULTS: Exploratory factor analysis distinguished two underlying important factors: K-SESpresent and K-SESfuture. However, the distinction was not confirmed in Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). Internal consistency for both subscales was excellent (Cronbach's alpha > .80). Test-retest reliability absolute agreement was 0.95. A-priori formulated hypotheses on the relation between Knee Self Efficacy Scale Dutch (K-SES-D) and related constructs were confirmed. Moderate to high correlations (r > 0.50) were reported with Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) before reconstruction. High negative correlation was found with fear of movement and pain catastrophizing (r < - 0.60), and low correlation (r < 0.50) with locus of control and measures of distress. CONCLUSION: Acceptability, internal consistency and test-retest reliability of the K-SES-D subscales are satisfactory. Construct validity of both subscales was confirmed by exploratory factor analysis and hypothesis testing. However, construct validity was not confirmed in CFA. Further research is needed to test responsiveness.

Assessing the Efficacy of an Educational Smartphone or Tablet App With Subdivided and Interactive Content to Increase Patients' Medical Knowledge: Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Modern health care focuses on shared decision making (SDM) because of its positive effects on patient satisfaction, therapy compliance, and outcomes. Patients' knowledge about their illness and available treatment options, gained through medical education, is one of the key drivers for SDM. Current patient education relies heavily on medical consultation and is known to be ineffective. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine whether providing patients with information in a subdivided, categorized, and interactive manner via an educational app for smartphone or tablet might increase the knowledge of their illness. METHODS: A surgeon-blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted with 213 patients who were referred to 1 of the 6 Dutch hospitals by their general practitioner owing to knee complaints that were indicative of knee osteoarthritis. An interactive app that, in addition to standard care, actively sends informative and pertinent content to patients about their illness on a daily basis by means of push notifications in the week before their consultation. The primary outcome was the level of perceived and actual knowledge that patients had about their knee complaints and the relevant treatment options after the intervention. RESULTS: In total, 122 patients were enrolled in the control group and 91 in the intervention group. After the intervention, the level of actual knowledge (measured on a 0-36 scale) was 52% higher in the app group (26.4 vs 17.4, P<.001). Moreover, within the app group, the level of perceived knowledge (measured on a 0-25 scale) increased by 22% during the week within the app group (from 13.5 to 16.5, P<.001), compared with no gain in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Actively offering patients information in a subdivided (per day), categorized (per theme), and interactive (video and quiz questions) manner significantly increases the level of perceived knowledge and demonstrates a higher level of actual knowledge, compared with standard care educational practices. TRIAL REGISTRATION: International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number ISRCTN98629372; http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN98629372 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/73F5trZbb).

Managing persistent wound leakage after total knee and hip arthroplasty. Results of a nationwide survey among Dutch orthopaedic surgeons.

Background: Persistent wound leakage after joint arthroplasty is a scantily investigated topic, despite the claimed relation with a higher risk of periprosthetic joint infection. This results in a lack of evidence-based clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of persistent wound leakage after joint arthroplasty. Without such guideline, clinical practice in orthopaedic hospitals varies widely. In preparation of a nationwide multicenter randomized controlled trial on the optimal treatment of persistent wound leakage, we evaluated current Dutch orthopaedic care for persistent wound leakage after joint arthroplasty. Methods: We conducted a questionnaire-based online survey among all 700 members of the Netherlands Orthopaedic Association, consisting of 23 questions on the definition, classification, diagnosis and treatment of persistent wound leakage after joint arthroplasty. Results: The questionnaire was completed by 127 respondents, representing 68% of the Dutch hospitals that perform orthopaedic surgery. The results showed wide variation in the classification, definition, diagnosis and treatment of persistent wound leakage among Dutch orthopaedic surgeons. 56.7% of the respondents used a protocol for diagnosis and treatment of persistent wound leakage, but only 26.8% utilized the protocol in every patient. Most respondents (59.1%) reported a maximum period of persistent wound leakage before starting non-surgical treatment of 3 to 7 days after index surgery and 44.1% of respondents reported a maximum period of wound leakage of 10 days before converting to surgical treatment. Conclusions: The wide variety in clinical practice underscores the importance of developing an evidence-based clinical guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of persistent wound leakage after joint arthroplasty. To this end, a nationwide multicenter randomized controlled trial will be conducted in the Netherlands, which may provide evidence on this important and poorly understood topic.

LEAK study: design of a nationwide randomised controlled trial to find the best way to treat wound leakage after primary hip and knee arthroplasty.

INTRODUCTION: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are highly successful treatment modalities for advanced osteoarthritis. However, prolonged wound leakage after arthroplasty is linked to prosthetic joint infection (PJI), which is a potentially devastating complication. On the one hand, wound leakage is reported as a risk factor for PJI with a leaking wound acting as a porte d'entrée for micro-organisms. On the other hand, prolonged wound leakage can be a symptom of PJI. Literature addressing prolonged wound leakage is scarce, contradictory and of poor methodological quality. Hence, treatment of prolonged wound leakage varies considerably with both non-surgical and surgical treatment modalities. There is a definite need for evidence concerning the best way to treat prolonged wound leakage after joint arthroplasty. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A prospective nationwide randomised controlled trial will be conducted in 35 hospitals in the Netherlands. The goal is to include 388 patients with persistent wound leakage 9-10 days after THA or TKA. These patients will be randomly allocated to non-surgical treatment (pressure bandages, (bed) rest and wound care) or surgical treatment (debridement, antibiotics and implant retention (DAIR)). DAIR will also be performed on all non-surgically treated patients with persistent wound leakage at day 16-17 after index surgery, regardless of amount of wound leakage, other clinical parameters or C reactive protein. Clinical data are entered into a web-based database. Patients are asked to fill in questionnaires about disease-specific outcomes, quality of life and cost effectiveness at 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery. Primary outcome is the number of revision surgeries due to infection within a year of arthroplasty. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The Review Board of each participating hospital has approved the local feasibility. The results will be published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NTR5960;Pre-results.

Correction of Femoral Valgus Deformity.

In the past two decades, the insights in the causes and development of valgus leg deformities as well as the options for treatment with corrective osteotomies have dramatically changed. New definitions for deformity analysis and planning for corrections have better defined the patients suitable for femoral valgus deformity corrections. Biomechanical research on new osteotomy methods and stability of plate fixation have provided scientific background for the development of improved surgical techniques that are more accurate, safer, and provide for quicker rehabilitation and bone healing. This article provides an overview of the basic principles behind the correction of femoral valgus deformity. Both the analysis and planning of femoral valgus deformity correction as well as the results of systematic clinical reviews are provided. The current recommended surgical technique of biplanar medial closing-wedge supracondylar osteotomy is explained, and the first clinical results are reported. Finally, the authors describe some of the future directions and needs for treatment optimization of patients with femoral valgus deformity.