[Structured assessment for orthopaedic patients - method, results, and diagnostic potential]. / Strukturierte Anamnese bei orthopädischen Patienten - Methode, Resultate und diagnostisches Potenzial.

BACKGROUND: Review of medical records demonstrates a moderate to low correlation (r = 0.57 to 0.22) between daily limitations and symptoms based upon patient history. This correlation could be improved with the ideal questionnaire which would assess patients using the same questions with the same response options in the same order. Therefore, a simple patient questionnaire for orthopaedic patients was developed and validated to assess 10 symptoms, 12 limitations of daily life and patients' well-being. The concept was to provide a universal questionnaire that could be used for all patients and provide the basis for a structured assessment that would then provide standardised and comparable patient information. Additional localisation of symptoms would allow a differential diagnosis. For example, pain in the groin/thigh while standing and walking may be caused by osteoarthritis of the hip or osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine. Further physical investigation and diagnostic imaging may lead to the diagnosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This method was employed as part of routine quality control from November 2006 to October 2008 by two orthopaedic surgeons in their outpatient clinic in a tertiary health care hospital. Structured assessment was performed in all patients regardless of their pathology (hip, knee, shoulder, cervical spine, lumbar spine, foot) or situation (before/after surgery, conservative therapy). The completeness, symptom score, daily limitation score, and well-being as well as the relationships between symptom score, daily limitation score, and well-being were calculated. Answers regarding walking capacity and effective walking capacity could be compared. Several patients with combined orthopaedic pathologies were closely analysed. RESULTS: Data of 2642 structured assessments in 1777 patients (957 women, 53.9 %) were evaluated. The average age was 64.4 years. The data completeness on the front page was 96.2 and 86.3 % on the back page. The mean value for symptoms (daily limitations) was 34.31 (27.45), and the median was 32.5 (25.0). The distributions of the symptom score and daily limitation score were asymmetrical; 80 % of the patients were below 50 and 38, respectively. Well-being was excellent in 21.4 %, good in 24 %, moderate in 24.2 %, poor in 11.4 %, and very poor in 16.7 %. The main symptom was pain on movement/walking, with an average of 60.32. The symptom score, daily limitation score, and well-being were found to have a correlation to each other (Spearman's r between 0.55 and 0.63). Thirty-nine patients reported an inability to walk, although 36 could walk in the office (1 had paraplegia and 2 had paraparesis caused by lumbar stenosis). Combined pathologies in orthopaedic patients were found for cervical-shoulder, lumbar-hip, and lumbar-knee pathologies. CONCLUSIONS: A routine structured assessment can be performed with extra effort. A structured assessment provides patient information in a standardised form so that such information can be compared as well as allow a differential diagnosis. It is possible that answers to the questionnaire represent patients' subjective assessment rather than reality.

[A simple orthopaedic patient questionnaire to measure symptoms and disabilities--validation and experience]. / Ein einfacher orthopädischer Patientenfragebogen für die Messung von Beschwerden und Behinderungen (Pationnaire) - Validierung, Erfahrungen.

AIM: The aim of this study was to measure musculoskeletal symptoms and disabilities in a structured and objective manner. For this purpose, we have developed a simple patient questionnaire (Pationnaire). This includes the most important symptoms and signs of the entire musculoskeletal system including the vertebrae. METHODS: The questionnaire was tested for construct validity and reliability. The experiences were gathered in separate centres within an outcome study after total hip arthroplasty and routine consultations. RESULTS: Construct validity was tested in 71 patients by comparing the questionnaire answers with details given by personal interview. Concordance was total in 95 %, partial in 3 %, and inadequate in 2 % (older patients with poly-morbidity). Concordance was improved by discussion, completion and correction of questionnaire answers together with the patient. Participants required an average of 9.9 minutes to complete the questionnaire. The test-retest reliability of the Pationnaire yielded, compared to the SF-36, more questions with a higher intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC); the mean ICC for all Pationnaire questions was 0.76 versus 0.57 for the SF-36. The percentage of identical answers was between 69.7 % and 99.4 % with the Pationnaire and between 52.2 % and 96.8 % with SF-36. User experience showed that the questionnaire can be used for initial and differential diagnosis, for improved communication with the patient, and to measure outcome. The questionnaire proved valuable in the differential diagnosis of symptoms after endoprosthesis. Information on type and location are particularly valuable in differentiating mechanical, inflammatory or other causes. The questionnaire can be used for outcome measurements in endoprosthesis. In 66 patients, 6 months after total hip prosthesis, pain scores were reduced from 47.8 to 29.5, symptom scores from 30.8 to 11.6, and disability scores from 22.5 to 10.5 (all changes statistically significant, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The questionnaire reliably measures symptoms and disabilities in orthopaedic disease. Interactive collection of patient history renders it more objective. The questionnaire can be used in outpatient consultations, for initial and differential diagnosis, to improve communication, and to measure outcome.

[Visual circle scale (VCS)--a patient-friendly scale to measure pain compared to VAS and Likert scale]. / Visuelle Kreisskala (VCS)--eine patientenfreundliche Skala zur Schmerzmessung im Vergleich mit der VAS und Likert-Skala.

AIM: The visual analogue scale (VAS) and Likert scale (LS) are widely used but the patients might have difficulties to work with these scales and there might be errors in calculation. The visual circle scale (VCS) is a graphic construct with a simple grading to augment the understanding and ease for calculation. METHOD: This study compares the different scales in orthopaedic patients for pain assessment postoperatively. In addition, the scales were rated by the patients for simplicity, understanding and global rating. RESULTS: Included were 65 patients (40 women) with an average age of 66 years with 330 pain assessments and 65 questionnaire ratings. The average pain was LS 42.7, VAS 39.3, VCS 44. The correlation coefficients r (Spearman) between all scales were > 0.89 and the same held also for sensitivity for change. The VCS was the scale preferred by > 50 % of the orthopaedic patients to assess the pain. CONCLUSION: The VCS is able to measure pain comparably to the known scales (VAS, Likert scale). From the patients point of view it is the preferred scale to work with.

[Clinical results 2 years after total hip replacement (WOMAC/SF-36) and comparison with the normal population (SF-36)]. / Klinische Resultate 2 Jahre nach Hüfttotalendoprothese (WOMAC/SF-36) und Vergleich mit der Normbevölkerung (SF-36).

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the outcome after total hip replacement (THR) with the WOMAC and the SF-36 as well as to identify the most responsive items and to elucidate the reasons for increased pain postoperatively. METHODS: 73 patients filled out the questionnaires preoperatively and 3, 6, 12, 24 months postoperatively. All mean subscales and the responsiveness for each question were calculated. The patients with increased pain postoperatively were reassessed. RESULTS: All WOMAC subscales and six of the eight SF-36 subscales showed significant improvements after THR (p < 0.05). The most responsive items were the pain and disability questions (SRM, ES > 1.5). Two patients with a higher pain score postoperatively had associated symptomatic degenerative lumbar spinal disease. CONCLUSIONS: The WOMAC and the SF-36 are valid measures of the outcomes of THR in their German translations and document the good results after THR. Two years after THR the patients reach the same health state compared to an age matched control group in the population. The WOMAC contains more questions of higher responsiveness than the SF-36. A higher pain score postoperatively may be caused by degenerative disease of the lumbar spine.

[Optimizing primary total hip replacement--a technique to effect saving of manpower]. / Prozessoptimierung in der primären Hüftarthroplastik--ressourcenschonende Operationstechnik?

PURPOSE: Development of a standardized surgical technique for total hip replacement thereby saving manpower (one assistant) by using a retractor system. METHOD: Total hip replacement is performed with the patient in a true lateral position on a tunnel cushion. By means of a direct lateral approach the pelvitrochanteric muscles are partially detached using an omega-shaped cut. The Bookwalter retractor is fixed dorsally on the operating table. The ring is centered keeping the greater trochanter in the middle. The Hohmann retractors are fixed to the ring to sufficiently expose the acetabulum. To insert the femoral stem the ring needs to be opened dorsally and the patient's leg is bent 90 degrees in the hip and the knee over the tunnel cushion. The muscles inserting at the greater trochanter are retracted by a separate Hohmann retractor with weight. In a case control study with matched pairs the patients treated with this technique were compared with those treated in supine position with the transgluteal approach. The number of assistants required and the operating time were assessed. RESULTS: All the hip replacements with the patient in side position were performed with one assistant, in supine position with two assistants. The operating time did not differ significantly (supine position 110 min/side position 112 min). The complication rate in both groups was comparable (one secondary wound healing, one transient ischalgia). CONCLUSION: The process of total hip replacement can be optimized. The described technique allows to spare one surgical assistant without prolonging the operating time.

The problem of stabilization after sacrectomy.

After sacrectomy, mobilization of the patient is only possible if a stable connection between the spine and pelvis can be obtained. We have developed an instrumentation to fix the pelvis to the spine. Two DHS screws connected to each other were implanted in the pelvis (one DHS screw into each ilium). An internal spine fixator, anchored in L3 and L4 through transpedicular Schanz screws, was attached to these DHS screws. Two patients were stabilized with this implant after sacrectomy. One patient was able to walk with crutches; the other patient was able to walk even without crutches.

[Baumann shoulder reposition]. / Schulterreposition nach Baumann.

An untraumatic method for the reposition of dislocated shoulders without any analgesia is presented. That the way of this method must be right, is proved by a short historical view and by case reports; On one side by the inventor of this method and on the other side by a retrospective study from the orthopedic department of the Kantonsspital of St. Gallen. How to do this reposition is clearly described by words and pictures.

[Quality assurance in traumatology--initial experiences with a computer program for the selection of trauma patients for morbidity and mortality conferences]. / Qualitätssicherung in der Traumatologie--Erste Erfahrungen mit einem Computerprogramm zur Auswahl von Traumapatienten für Morbiditäts-und Mortalitätskonferenzen.

Trauma is the leading cause of death in the under thirties age group in Switzerland and the third leading cause in the 30-64 age group. In addition to efforts in the area of prevention, optimization must also be attained in individual medical care in order to reduce mortality and morbidity. Improvements are only possible, however, when based on precise knowledge of accident epidemiology and possible weak spots in the rescue chain, which begins at the scene of the accident and ends with discharge from hospital. This information should be complied for our region with the aid of a trauma register on the basis of internationally recognized elements. The following comments describe in a shortened form the CDC-Register (Centers for Disease Control, USA). Using our own initial experiences, the practical application and use of the corresponding Register-Software ("Trauma registry", Version 2.0, 1990) for conferences on mortality and morbidity, the basic guarantee of quality, are demonstrated.

[Experiences with conservative therapy of humerus shaft fractures]. / Erfahrungen mit konservativer Therapie bei Humerus-Schaft-Frakturen.

A well proved method for the conservative treatment of fractures of the humeral shaft is clearly shown by words and pictures. A study of 36 own cases during the years 1985 up to 90 informs on the problems of conservative treatment of these fractures. Even if there is a perfect primary reposition, impossibility of proper retention in the plaster cast may lead to post-primary osteosyntheses (2 cases in 36). Despite correct conservative treatment there are always delayed unions in a certain percentage (6 cases in 34), which you can't recognize before 3 months after injury, but then should bring them to operative treatment. There is quite a high number of pseudarthroses (4 cases in 32). It is still unclear, which type of fracture and which type of patient is going to build up a pseudarthrosis. In conservative treatment, the most important thing is--compared to operative treatment--a very closed and carefully observing aftercare.