[Sports Activity Following Joint Arthroplasty: Experiences and Expectations of Elderly Patients--Findings from a Qualitative Content Analysis of Guided Interviews]. / Sportliche Aktivität nach Gelenkersatz: Erfahrungen und Erwartungen älterer Rehabilitanden- Ergebnisse einer qualitativen Inhaltsanalyse leitfadengestützter Interviews.

OBJECTIVE: The study investigated specific motives and barriers of sports activities in elderly patients with hip or knee arthroplasty. METHODS: We conducted guided interviews and analysed them by content analysis. RESULTS: 7 women and 8 men were interviewed. In total, we coded 520 passages; on average 34.7 (SD=11.1) per interview. Our findings document severe preoperative handicaps and identified a variety of sports activities which were practiced before treatment. The most emphasized motive was the social function of sports. The main barriers were the self-definition as a sick and elderly person and insecurity and concerns over the course of illness and healing. Very constraining advises on sports activities without consideration of the individual experience in sports were not perceived as helpful. CONCLUSION: Counselling on sports activities following joint replacement needs to consider individual motives, barriers and previous sports experience in order to be perceived as supportive.

[Improved outcome quality following total knee and hip arthroplasty in an integrated care setting: results of a controlled study]. / Verbesserte Behandlungsqualität durch integrierte Versorgung bei Knie- und Hüftgelenkersatz: Ergebnisse einer kontrollierten Studie.

OBJECTIVE: In Germany, the introduction of the Law on integrated care (IC) (§ 140 a-d SGB V) opened up the possibility of cross-sectional health care settings and new forms of remuneration, and improved the conditions for a closer cooperation between health care providers. Patients awaiting a hip or knee arthroplasty expect a higher benefit from such an intensified cooperation of operating hospital and rehabilitation centre. However, to date there is no study that investigated the anticipated effects on functional outcomes. Therefore, the aim of our study was the efficacy evaluation of an arthroplastic IC model in comparison with usual care. METHODS: The controlled multicentre trial included pensioners who received an arthroplasty following gonarthrosis or coxarthrosis. Implantation of the arthroplasty was accomplished in 11 hospitals. Participants of the intervention group (IG; 3 hospitals) were treated within an IC model, participants of the control group (CG; 8 hospitals) were treated within conventional care. Primary outcome were the functional complaints measured by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). RESULTS: 481 patients attended the study (IG: n = 249; KG: n = 232). Response at end of treatment was 85.9% (n = 413), response after 4 months was 89.4% (n = 430) and after 1 year 85.9% (n = 413). Multivariate analyses confirmed a reduction of treatment time by 4 days (b = -3.964; 95% CI: -5.833 to -2.094; p < 0.001) and improved functional outcomes on the WOMAC (4 months: b = -7.219; 95% CI: -11.184 to -3.254; p < 0.001; 12 months: b = -8.070; 95% CI: -12.101 to -4.039; p < 0.001). Patients of the IG rated the process better (e. g. cooperation between hospital and rehabilitation centre: b = 0.672; 95% CI: 0.401 to 0.943; p < 0.001); reported a better self-rated health after 1 year (b = 4.418; 95% CI: 0.050 to 8.786; p = 0.047), and were physically more active (b = 1.603; 95% CI: 0.655 to 2.551; p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The IC setting improved coordination and communication at the interface between hospital and rehabilitation centre (internal patient orientation). Higher patient satisfaction and better outcome quality (external patient orientation) are not only achievable by improved medical devices but also by innovative communicative and organisational structures bringing along an improved process quality.

[Illness perceptions and functioning following total knee and hip arthroplasty]. / Subjektive Krankheitstheorien und funktionaler Verlauf nach Knie- und Hüftgelenkersatz.

OBJECTIVE: In spite of the cumulating evidence for the prognostic relevance of illness perceptions regarding the course of disease and recovery of hip and knee joint patients, there are still no studies that examine the effects of these perceptions on postoperative functioning as assessed by clinical ratings. The aim of this inception cohort study was to describe the course of functioning following a hip or knee joint replacement over a period of one year and to analyse moderator-type effects of illness perceptions in order to develop strategies for preoperative counselling and postoperative rehabilitation. METHODS: The course of functioning following a hip joint replacement was assessed by the Harris hip score (HHS), the course of functioning following a knee joint replacement by the American Knee Society score (AKSS). Illness perceptions were assessed by the brief illness perception questionnaire. Due to the non-linear relationship of time and functional outcome, time was transformed using a log transformation. Moderator-type effects were analysed by interaction terms of log time and illness perceptions. RESULTS: For 135 patients the course of the HHS was analysed, for 127 patients the course of the AKSS. Results after one year confirmed a successful treatment for 82.3 % of the hip patients and 70.6 % of the knee patients. Hip patients expecting an enduring illness had lower scores on the HHS after one year (p = 0.026). The expectation that the treatment will be helpful was associated with a better outcome (p = 0.002). The outcome of knee patients was moderated by the degree how concerned they were about their illness (p = 0.016). CONCLUSION: The results confirmed the prognostic relevance of illness perceptions for the functional outcome and indicate the importance of preoperative counselling and the potential benefit of patient-oriented education that is aimed at modifying illness perceptions.

[Factors of successful integrated care settings for total knee and hip arthroplasty: findings of a qualitative process analysis]. / Erfolgsfaktoren integrierter Versorgungsprozesse in der Endoprothetik: Ergebnisse einer qualitativen Prozessanalyse.

AIMS: In Germany, introduction of the law on Integrated Health Care (IC) (section sign 140a-d SGB V) opened up the possibility of cross-sectoral health care settings and new forms of remuneration, and improved the conditions for a closer cooperation between health care providers. However, cross-institutional and interdisciplinary work contexts demand new organizational structures in order to assure the coordination of different competences, resources and interests. This study aims at identifying factors of successful integrated care settings for total hip and knee arthroplasty. Using the example of an integrated care setting between an orthopaedic hospital and a rehabilitation clinic it will be examined which factors lead to successful implementation of the services and measures designed. METHOD: A qualitative research design was developed comprising different methods of data assessment (participant observation, guided expert interviews, document analyses) enabling a comprehensive exploration. Overall, data were derived from six consultations with patients, two integrated care information sessions and various documents (17 patient files, information material, patient lists, etc.). RESULTS: First of all, the different phases of development and implementation of integrated care settings were described. In this context, clearly defined aims, structures and appropriate measures seem to be crucial for an ideal long-term cooperation. Furthermore, the staff perspective on the effects of the IC programme on their daily routines proved an essential basis for process reconstruction. The staff members pointed out four main aspects regarding IC settings, i. e., improved image, increased knowledge, intensity of relationship, and less and more work effort. Against this background, factors of successful IC settings could be generated such as the need for central coordination, a regular staff information systems as well as accompanying process monitoring. CONCLUSION: Several key factors of successful integrated care settings in arthroplasty could be generated which provide important clues for shaping future interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral cooperation settings in health care services in general.

[Economic evaluation of medically occupationally orientated rehabilitation in patients with musculoskeletal disorders--a cost-benefit analysis from the perspective of the German statutory pension insurance scheme]. / Okonomische Evaluation einer medizinisch-beruflich orientierten Massnahme bei Patienten mit muskuloskeletalen Erkrankungen - Eine Kosten-Nutzen-Analyse aus Rentenversicherungsperspektive.

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal disorders are the most common health problem in Germany and the most frequent cause for medical rehabilitation under the German statutory pension insurance scheme. There is evidence of a strong association between musculoskeletal disorders and work-related problems. Recent research has shown that work-related interventions are adequate and effective as a treatment for patients with strong work-related problems. AIM: This evaluation compares the "work-related" (German: MBO, medizinisch-beruflich orientiert) rehabilitation to the standard medical rehabilitation provided in a clinical setting. From the perspective of a regional German statutory pension insurance agency, DRV Westfalen, it measures the efficiency of both treatments in patients with a diagnosed MBO demand 18 months after completion of the treatment. METHOD: The effect of both treatments on pension insurance revenues and costs up to 18 months after treatment was determined. Rehabilitation balance sheets of both treatments were compared in a cost-benefit analysis. From the difference obtained, conclusions could be drawn relative to the efficiency of the respective treatments. RESULTS: The descriptive analysis indicated additional receipts as a result of the MBO rehabilitation. Considering total costs, an effect amounting to 1 245 euro concerning the total revenue of DRV Westfalen is found if a patient had completed the MBO rehabilitation instead of the standard medical rehabilitation programme. CONCLUSION: Compared to standard medical rehabilitation, "work-related" rehabilitation hardly causes higher follow-up costs within 18 months, while generating higher receipts. Consequently, a more favourable monetary development is realized within the balance total in contrast to the standard medical rehabilitation. Limitations and consequences of these results are discussed in detail.

[SIMBO: a Screening Instrument for Identification of Work-Related Disabilities--analyses of construct and prognostic validity]. / SIMBO: Ein Screening-Instrument zur Feststellung des Bedarfs an Medizinisch-Beruflich Orientierten Massnahmen in der medizinischen Rehabilitation--Analysen zur Konstruktvalidität und Prognosegüte.

BACKGROUND: For a number of years, work-related interventions in medical rehabilitation (MBO) have been developed. Basically, these interventions concentrate on vocational problems of rehabilitees whose health disorders are strongly associated with contextual factors of the environment as well as personal factors. Previous studies showed a close relationship between the success of an intervention and identification of a specific demand. In fact there are several clinical concepts regarding specific demand. But there still is a lack of appropriate instruments for use in identification of occupational challenges. Therefore SIMBO (Screening Instrument for Identification of a Demand for Medical-Vocational Oriented Rehabilitation) has been developed recently. By using a scale for the intensity of work-related problems as well as a cut-off point, SIMBO is able to identify patients with and without a demand for work-related interventions. METHOD: Analyses relative to construct validity and predictive validity were carried out on two different samples--a multi-clinic sample (patients with musculoskeletal disorders) and a sample from the German statutory pension insurance agency DRV Westfalen (successful applications for medical rehabilitation). In this context the cut-off level discussion is very important. RESULTS: By means of the multi-clinic sample--irrespective of cut-off definition--the SIMBO-decision and the clinical identification of MBO-demand were found to agree in 74-78% of the cases. This corresponds to a maximum adjusted correlation of r=0.59 (phi coefficient). Compared to the external ratings of vocational problems given by DRV staff in handling the applications, however, only little agreement is found (64%, r=0.25). In fact, SIMBO had in 77% (r=0.50) of the cases been able to correctly predict work-related problems to be expected. So the result obtained using this instrument is far better than prediction of these problems in the external ratings by DRV staff (54%, r=0,21). Also, return to work (RTW) in good health after six months can be predicted correctly by SIMBO in 77% of the cases. This means that the probability of RTW in good health is reduced by 90% (Odds Ratio=0.1) if work-related problems had been identified by SIMBO. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Concerning its clinical as well as predictive quality, the validity of SIMBO-based ratings of work-related problems has been proven. Further, it has become obvious that SIMBO is suitable as an easy-to-handle tool for identification of a need for vocationally-focused interventions for use by the social insurance agencies which finance rehabilitation. Further interesting questions arise relative to application in different indications as well as potential uses as an outcome instrument.

Dynamic glenohumeral joint stability.

Stability of the glenohumeral joint with an anterior, posterior, and inferior displacement force of 50 N was measured in a dynamic shoulder model. Controlled hydrodynamic actuator forces were applied to the deltoid muscle and to the rotator cuff in seven anatomic specimens. During elevation of the arm the position of the humerus was measured with a six-degree-of-freedom ultrasonic sensor device. The rotational center of the humeral head was used as a reference point for translation. A displacement force of 50 N led to significant humeral head displacement anteriorly and posteriorly but not inferiorly. A 50% reduction of rotator cuff forces increased anterior displacement by 46% and posterior displacement by 31%. Venting of the glenohumeral joint space and of the subacromial bursa resulted in a 50% increase of anterior displacement, a 19% increase of posterior displacement, and significant inferior displacement. This study demonstrates that in addition to passive stabilizers and negative intraarticular pressure, rotator cuff force significantly contributes to stabilization of the glenohumeral joint during arm motion. Muscle strength and coordination should gain more emphasis in the diagnosis and treatment of shoulder instability.

[Measurement of glenohumeral joint translation with a dynamic shoulder model]. / Messungen zur Translation des Glenohumeralgelenks an einem Dynamischen Schultermodell.

Translation of the glenohumeral joint was measured with a dynamic shoulder model, during elevation of the arm in eight cadaveric specimens. Controlled hydrodynamic actuator forces were applied to the deltoid muscle and the rotator cuff through wire cables. Using a constant force ratio, the glenohumeral joint was elevated to 90 degrees. The position of the arm in all spatial orientations was measured with an ultrasonic device. Reproducibility of glenohumeral joint motion was demonstrated on the basis of five cycles of glenohumeral joint elevation. The rotational center of the humeral head was used as the reference point for translation. Translation during elevation of the glenohumeral joint between 20 degrees and 90 degrees averaged 9.0 mm +/- 5.2 mm superiorly and 4.4 mm +/- 1.3 mm anteriorly. In vivo, this may be diminished by coordinated activity of the rotator cuff. The presence of significant glenohumeral joint translation underlines the importance of active, muscular guidance at the shoulder. Physiologic translation of total shoulder arthroplasty, in shoulder instability and in the impingement syndrome.

[Dynamic stability of the glenohumeral joint. A biomechanical study]. / Die dynamische Stabilität des Glenohumeralgelenks. Eine biomechanische Untersuchung.

Stability of the glenohumeral joint with an anterior, posterior and inferior displacement force of 50 Newton was measured in a dynamic shoulder model. Controlled hydrodynamic actuator forces were applied to the deltoid muscle and to the rotator cuff in seven anatomic specimens. During elevation of the arm, the position of the humerus was measured with a six-degree-of-freedom ultrasonic sensor device. The rotational center of the humeral head was used as reference point for translation. A displacement force of 50N led to significant humeral head displacement anteriorly and posteriorly, but not inferiorly. A 50% reduction of rotator cuff forces increased anterior displacement by 46% and posterior displacement by 31%. Venting of the glenohumeral joint space and of the subacromial bursa resulted in a 50% increase of anterior displacement, a 19% increase of posterior displacement and in significant inferior displacement. This study demonstrates that, in addition to passive stabilizers and negative intraarticular pressure, rotator cuff force significantly contributes to stabilization of the glenohumeral joint during arm motion. Muscle strength and coordination should gain more emphasis in the diagnosis and treatment of shoulder instability.

Translation of the glenohumeral joint with simulated active elevation.

Translation of the glenohumeral joint was measured with a dynamic shoulder model during elevation of the arm in 8 cadaveric specimens. Controlled hydrodynamic actuator forces were applied to the deltoid muscle and the rotator cuff through wire cables. Using a constant force ratio, the glenohumeral joint was elevated to 90 degrees. The position of the arm in all spatial orientations was measured with an ultrasonic device. Reproducibility of glenohumeral joint motion was demonstrated on the basis of 5 cycles of glenohumeral joint elevation. The rotational center of the humeral head was used as the reference point for translation. Translation during elevation of the glenohumeral joint between 20 degrees and 90 degrees averaged 9.0 mm +/- 5.2 mm superiorly and 4.4 mm +/- 1.3 mm anteriorly. Physiologic variation of muscle activity, which is not yet fully understood, was not included in the model. In vivo, translation may be diminished by coordinated activity of the rotator cuff. The presence of significant glenohumeral joint translation underlines the importance of active, muscular guidance at the shoulder. Physiologic translation must be considered in the design of total shoulder arthroplasty, in shoulder instability, and in the impingement syndrome.