Accuracy of a Smartphone Software Application Compared With a Handheld Goniometer for Measuring Shoulder Range of Motion in Asymptomatic Adults.

Background: Typically, shoulder range of motion (ROM) measurements are performed in a clinic setting, where physicians, physical therapists (PTs), and occupational therapists make use of a goniometer. Purpose: To determine the accuracy of a smartphone-based ROM software application (app) in assessing active shoulder ROM and compare the measurements with traditional goniometry as measured by a PT. Study Design: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2. Methods: This prospective, nonblinded study was conducted at a single institution with adult asymptomatic participants with full active ROM of both shoulders. Participants were enrolled between June 1 and 15, 2021. Each participant self-assessed their active shoulder ROM using the PeerWell smartphone app. A single PT concurrently measured each participant's active shoulder ROM using a handheld universal goniometer. Bilateral shoulder ROM (forward flexion, abduction [AB], external rotation, internal rotation [IR], and extension) was measured 2 times for each participant. Interrater reliability between the smartphone app and PT measurements as well as intrarater reliability for each method of measurement were assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and limits of agreement were analyzed for the difference in measurement methods. Results: Data were analyzed for 60 shoulders (30 right, 30 left) from 30 participants (mean age, 31.4 ± 11.7 years; 73% female). The interrater reliability between the 2 methods was excellent for all movements (ICCs, 0.90-0.96). For all movements except shoulder AB, the mean difference in the measurements between the 2 methods was <1.3°; the mean difference in AB ROM was 2.08°. For all movements except IR, both PTs and the app showed excellent intrarater reliability (ICCs >0.90); for IR, good intrarater reliability (ICC ≥0.75) was observed. Conclusion: The PeerWell smartphone app provided measurements comparable with manual measurements taken by a PT using a goniometer. These data provide evidence that the smartphone app is a reliable and valid tool for measuring shoulder ROM and show promise for measuring and monitoring patient ROM remotely.

Addition of Adductor Canal Block to Periarticular Injection for Total Knee Replacement: A Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: Periarticular injection is a popular method to control postoperative pain after total knee replacement. An adductor canal block is a sensory block that can also help to alleviate pain after total knee replacement. We hypothesized that the combination of adductor canal block and periarticular injection would allow patients to reach discharge criteria 0.5 day faster than with periarticular injection alone. METHODS: This prospective trial enrolled 56 patients to receive a periarticular injection and 55 patients to receive an adductor canal block and periarticular injection. Both groups received intraoperative neuraxial anesthesia and multiple different types of pharmaceutical analgesics. The primary outcome was time to reach discharge criteria. Secondary outcomes, collected on postoperative days 1 and 2, included numeric rating scale pain scores, the PAIN OUT questionnaire, opioid consumption, and opioid-related side effects. RESULTS: There was no difference in time to reach discharge criteria between the groups with and without an adductor canal block. The Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney odds ratio was 0.87 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.55 to 1.33; p = 0.518). The median time to achieve discharge criteria (and interquartile range) was 25.8 hours (23.4 hours, 44.3 hours) in the adductor canal block and periarticular injection group compared with 26.4 hours (22.9 hours, 46.2 hours) in the periarticular injection group. Patients who received an adductor canal block and periarticular injection reported lower worst pain (difference in means, -1.4 [99% CI, -2.7 to 0]; adjusted p = 0.041) and more pain relief (difference in means, 12% [99% CI, 0% to 24%]; adjusted p = 0.048) at 24 hours after anesthesia. There was no difference in any other secondary outcome measure (e.g., opioid consumption, opioid-related side effects, numeric rating scale pain scores). CONCLUSIONS: The time to meet the discharge criteria was not significantly different between the groups. In the adductor canal block and periarticular injection group, the patients had lower worst pain and greater pain relief at 24 hours after anesthesia. No difference was noted in any other secondary outcome measure (e.g., opioid consumption, opioid-related side effects, numeric rating scale pain scores). LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Preoperative Physical Therapy Education Reduces Time to Meet Functional Milestones After Total Joint Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: As length of stay decreases for total joint arthroplasty, much of the patient preparation and teaching previously done in the hospital must be performed before surgery. However, the most effective form of preparation is unknown. This randomized trial evaluated the effect of a one-time, one-on-one preoperative physical therapy education session coupled with a web-based microsite (preopPTEd) on patients' readiness to discharge from physical therapy (PT), length of hospital stay, and patient-reported functional outcomes after total joint arthroplasty. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: Was this one-on-one preoperative PT education session coupled with a web- based microsite associated with (1) earlier achievement of readiness to discharge from PT; (2) a reduced hospital length of stay; and (3) improved WOMAC scores 4 to 6 weeks after surgery? METHODS: Between February and June 2015, 126 typical arthroplasty patients underwent unilateral TKA or THA. As per our institution's current guidelines, all patients attended a preoperative group education class taught by a multidisciplinary team comprising a nurse educator, social worker, and physical therapist. Patients were then randomized into two groups. One group (control; n = 63) received no further education after the group education class, whereas the intervention group (experimental; n = 63) received preopPTEd. The preopPTEd consisted of a one-time, one-on-one session with a physical therapist to learn and practice postoperative precautions, exercises, bed mobility, and ambulation with and negotiation of stairs. After this session, all patients in the preopPTEd group were given access to a lateralized, joint-specific microsite that provided detailed information regarding exercises, transfers, ambulation, and activities of daily living through videos, pictures, and text. Outcome measures assessed included readiness to discharge from PT, which was calculated by adding the number of postoperative inpatient PT visits patients had to meet PT milestones. Hospital length of stay (LOS) was assessed for hospital discharge criteria and 6-week WOMAC scores were gathered by study personnel. At our institution, to meet PT milestones for hospital discharge criteria, patients have to be able to (1) independently transfer in and out of bed, a chair, and a toilet seat; (2) independently ambulate approximately 150 feet; (3) independently negotiate stairs; and (4) be independent with a home exercise program and activities of daily living. Complete followup was available on 100% of control group patients and 100% patients in the intervention group for all three outcome measures (control and intervention of 63, respectively). RESULTS: The preopPTEd group had fewer postoperative inpatient PT visits (mean, 3.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.0-3.6 versus 4.4; 95% CI, 4.1-4.7; p < 0.001) and achieved readiness to discharge from PT faster (mean, 1.6 days; 95% CI, 1.2-1.9 days versus 2.7 days; 95% CI, 2.4-3.0; p < 0.001) than the control group. There was no difference in hospital LOS between the preopPTEd group and the control group (2.4 days; 95% CI, 2.1-2.6; p = 0.082 versus 2.6 days; 95% CI, 2.4-2.8; p = 0.082). There were no clinically relevant differences in 6-week WOMAC scores between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although this protocol resulted in improved readiness to discharge from PT, there was no effect on LOS or WOMAC scores at 6 weeks. Preoperative PT was successful in improving one of the contributors to LOS and by itself is insufficient to make a difference in LOS. This study highlights the need for improvement in other aspects of care to improve LOS. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, therapeutic study.