Preoperative Sarcopenia Severity and Clinical Outcomes after Total Hip Arthroplasty.

The outcome of total hip arthroplasty (THA) in patients with end-stage arthritis of the hip is associated with preoperative physical status. This study was performed to examine the relationship between the preoperative severity of sarcopenia and clinical outcomes after THA. This retrospective cohort study was performed among 306 consecutive patients (mean age: 63.7 ± 12.9 years, 222 women) undergoing THA at a university hospital. The severity of sarcopenia was determined based on the skeletal muscle mass index (SMI), handgrip strength, and gait speed according to the criteria of the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019. The severe sarcopenia prevalence rate was 10.6%. Severe sarcopenia was significantly associated with the risk of delayed functional recovery (adjusted odds ratio, 2.82; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-7.72; p = 0.043) compared with the non-sarcopenia group after adjusting for pre-existing risk factors, including preoperative hip function and physical activity. The addition of SMI, handgrip strength, and gait speed to the model for risk of functional recovery delay significantly increased the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (p = 0.038). Severe sarcopenia was significantly associated with poorer hip function and patient-reported outcomes at 6 months after surgery compared with the non-sarcopenia group. Severe sarcopenia was adversely associated with postoperative clinical outcomes in patients undergoing THA.

Short physical performance battery discriminates clinical outcomes in hospitalized patients aged 75 years and over.

AIM: Low physical function is associated with poor outcomes in hospitalized patients; however, little is known about vulnerable populations such as those aged ≥ 75 years. We examined whether the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) was associated with clinical outcomes in hospitalized patients aged ≥ 75 years. METHODS: In total, 147 patients aged ≥ 75 years (mean age, 86.5 ±â€¯4.7 years; 89 males) completed the SPPB and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) before hospital discharge. Patients were divided into three groups by SPPB score: 0 (unable to perform SPPB), 1-6 (low performance), and 7-12 (high performance). The first occurrence of all-cause unplanned readmission or all-cause mortality within 1 year after discharge was set as the endpoint. RESULTS: The median SPPB score of the study population was 2; 41 % were unable to perform SPPB, 33 % had low performance, and 26 % had high performance. High SPPB was associated with younger age, higher body weight, and higher MMSE score. During the follow-up period, 35 (23.8 %) patients were readmitted to hospital and 19 (12.9 %) died. Even after adjusting for covariates, SPPB score was a significant and independent predictor of poor outcomes (hazard ratio for 1 point increase in SPPB, 0.88; P = .002). The subgroup analysis showed SPPB was inversely associated with the occurrence of poor outcomes in patients with cognitive impairment. CONCLUSIONS: SPPB is inversely associated with risks for readmission and mortality in hospitalized patients aged ≥ 75 years, especially those with cognitive impairment. The present results indicate the SPPB is useful for accurate prognosis in hospital settings.

Impact of variation in physical activity after total joint replacement.

PURPOSE: Patients who undergo total knee arthroplasty (TKA) or total hip arthroplasty (THA) often develop postoperative pain. Exercise approaches are recommended postoperatively; however, the impact of excessive variation in physical activity is unclear. The purpose of the present preliminary study was to investigate the impact of excessive variation in physical activity using the accelerometer in the early period after TKA or THA. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-two patients were enrolled in the study. Forty patients underwent initial TKA, and 32 initial THA. Physical activity was measured for 8 days from postoperative day 3 to 10. Patients with substantial correlation between physical activity and postoperative day were classified as the "good-pacing" group. Patients with no correlation between them were classified as the "poor-pacing" group. They were also evaluated using a pain visual analog scale (VAS), pain catastrophizing scale, and hospital anxiety and depression scale. RESULTS: The average age was 68 years, and 59 patients (82%) were women. The average maximum number of steps per day was 2,181. There were 45 patients with good pacing and 27 with poor pacing. The poor-pacing group showed significantly lower maximum number of steps per day, higher postoperative average VAS score, higher postoperative worst VAS score, and longer duration of postoperative hospital stay than the good-pacing group. CONCLUSION: Patients with excessive variation in physical activity showed severe postoperative pain and prolonged postoperative hospital stay. The postoperative variation in physical activity could be an outcome for improvement in patients after lower-limb arthroplasty.

Changes in the range of motion of the lower limb joints during extensive tibial lengthening in achondroplasia.

Increase in the magnitude of lengthening during the limb lengthening procedure involves a high risk of decreased range of motion (ROM) in adjacent joints. Even though patients with achondroplasia can tolerate a relatively larger amount of lengthening owing to its inherent soft-tissue laxity, they often exhibit significant joint contractures during extensive lengthening. In the present study, we evaluated temporal changes in the ROM of the hip, knee, and ankle joints throughout the treatment period in 12 limbs of six patients with achondroplasia who had undergone extensive tibial lengthening. The ROM of hip extension, knee extension, and ankle dorsiflexion were measured before distraction, at every 1-cm length gained during distraction, and at monthly intervals after the termination of distraction until the frame removal. The average amount of lengthening was 9.2±1.2 cm, corresponding to 52.8±6.8% of the original bone length. Equinus deformity of the ankle was observed in the early phase of distraction, whereas flexion contracture of the knee and hip appeared in the middle and the late phase of distraction, respectively. With dedicated physiotherapy and deliberate orthosis wearing, all of the contracture gradually resolved up to the preoperative state after the termination of distraction. This is the first report showing the development of contracture in the hip, a nonadjacent joint for the tibial lengthening.

Associations among pain catastrophizing, muscle strength, and physical performance after total knee and hip arthroplasty.

AIM: To investigate whether reductions in pain catastrophizing associated with physical performance in the early period after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) or total hip arthroplasty (THA). METHODS: The study group of 46 participants underwent TKA or THA. The participants were evaluated within 7 d before the operation and at 14 d afterwards. Physical performance was measured by the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and 10-m gait time was measured at comfortable and maximum speeds. They rated their knee or hip pain using a visual analog scale (VAS) for daily life activities. Psychological characteristics were measured by the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS). Physical characteristics were measured by isometric muscle strength of knee extensors and hip abductors on the operated side. The variables of percent changes between pre- and post-operation were calculated by dividing post-operation score by pre-operation score. RESULTS: Postoperative VAS and PCS were better than preoperative for both TKA and THA. Postoperative physical performance and muscle strength were poorer than preoperative for both TKA and THA. The percent change in physical performance showed no correlation with preoperative variables. In TKA patients, the percent change of PCS showed correlation with percent change of TUG (P = 0.016), 10-m gait time at comfortable speeds (P = 0.003), and 10-m gait time at maximum speeds (P = 0.042). The percent change of muscle strength showed partial correlation with physical performances. The percent change of VAS showed no correlation with physical performances. On the other hand, in THA patients, the percent change of hip abductor strength showed correlation with percent change of TUG (P = 0.047), 10-m gait time at comfortable speeds (P = 0.001), and 10-m gait time at maximum speeds (P = 0.021). The percent change of knee extensor strength showed partial correlation with physical performances. The percent change of VAS and PCS showed no correlation with physical performances. CONCLUSION: Changes in pain catastrophizing significantly associated with changes in physical performance in the early period after TKA. It contributes to future postoperative rehabilitation of arthroplasty.

Combination of Continuous Epidural Block and Rehabilitation in a Case of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.

Epidural analgesia is used to promote rehabilitation in patients with refractory complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) who cannot bear physical programs due to intense pain. However, the actual rehabilitation process has not been focused in previous reports. Here, we outline our experience of treating a young woman with CRPS type 1 who underwent rehabilitation facilitated by a continuous lumbar epidural block. A 15-year-old girl developed throbbing pain from her left toe to her ankle, with no obvious cause. She was admitted to the hospital 2 months after symptom onset for an assessment of pain intensity, range of motion, weight-bearing, neglect-like symptoms, pain catastrophizing, and a CRPS severe score with impaired activities of daily living. The rehabilitation program was initiated under facilitation of continuous epidural block. Her rehabilitation program included physical therapy, motor imagery, mirror therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy. The intensity of the exercise was gradually increased without exacerbating her symptoms. Ultimately, she recovered completely after a continuous epidural block for 21 days and rehabilitation for 80 days. A combination of continuous epidural block and intensive rehabilitation improved the symptoms of this patient. The treatment course would be helpful for planning rehabilitation programs in other patients with CRPS.

Gait Speeds Associated with Anxiety Responses to Pain in Osteoarthritis Patients.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with lower limbs osteoarthritis (OA) had slower walking speeds than healthy. Gait speed, which is associated with leg muscle strength, is a consistent predictor of health and functional status. The effects of pain and pain-related psychological constructs for gait speeds have been uncertain. Therefore, we investigated whether gait speed in patients with OA of lower limbs is associated with pain-related psychological constructs using a performance-based measure. METHODS: The study group comprised 59 patients with advanced knee or hip OA. Gait speeds were measured at comfortable and maximum levels during 10-m walks. Covariates included 1) pain intensity measured with a visual analogue scale (VAS), 2) psychological constructs measured with a short-version pain anxiety symptoms scale (PASS-20) and the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS), and 3) bilateral knee extensor and hip abductor muscle strength. Each variable was subjected to multivariate analysis with gait speed. RESULTS: Single regression analysis showed that gait speeds were significantly correlated with VAS and PASS-20 scores, and muscle strength, not with HADS. Multiple regression analysis showed that PASS-20 score was significant correlating factor for gait speeds. CONCLUSIONS: Anxiety-related responses to pain were significant correlating factor for gait speeds, in patients with OA of lower limbs.