Rehabilitation after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA) is fundamental for reducing pain and recovering strength, range of motion, and walking ability. Gait analysis (GA) is rarely included in the rehabilitation path. This study assesses how inpatient rehabilitation influences clinical outcomes and gait analysis (GA) parameters in TKA and THA patients, comparing these with age- and speed-matched healthy subjects (HS).

A prospective observational study included 80 subjects (50 TKA, 30 THA) and 20 aged-matched HS. Assessments occurred at admission and discharge post inpatient rehabilitation, using clinical outcome scales (e.g., Modified Barthel Index, Knee Society Score), GA spatiotemporal parameters, and gait summary measures (e.g., Gait Profile Score, Gait Deviation Index). Statistical analyses determined the significance of improvements.

Post-rehabilitation, significant improvements were observed in clinical outcomes and some key spatio-temporal gait parameters (p ≤ 0.01). However, gait summary measures showed no changes. Interestingly, gait summary measures did not correlate with clinical outcome scales. Moreover, TKA and THA patients showed no differences compared with slow-walking HS.

Inpatient rehabilitation significantly enhanced clinical outcomes and spatio-temporal parameters. Additionally, no differences were observed between spatiotemporal and gait summary measures of slow-walking HS and patients at discharge, indicating that rehabilitation restored gait quality. However, gait speed remains impaired, in both TKA and THA populations. Future research should explore personalized rehabilitation protocols to address these limitations and improve gait outcomes.

NCT04803578.

Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) is a benign proliferative disorder that affects the synovial joints, bursae, and tendon sheaths. To date, few studies have reported on the treatment of postoperative pain and edema in patients with PVNS. Herein, we present the case of a woman who developed pain and edema in the left lower limb 1 wk after synovectomy and arthroscopic partial meniscectomy and was unable to walk due to limited flexion and extension of the left knee.

A 32-year-old woman underwent synovectomy and arthroscopic partial meniscectomy successively and was treated with a combination of manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) and kinesio taping (KT) in our hospital to alleviate postoperative pain and edema. The following parameters were assessed at 2 wk post-treatment and 1 wk post-discharge follow up: suprapatellar circumference, infrapatellar circumference, visual analog scale score, knee range of motion, pittsburgh sleep quality index score, hamilton anxiety rating scale (HAMA) score, and hamilton depression rating scale (HAMD) score. After treatment, the postoperative pain and edema in the patient's left knee were effectively relieved, resulting in improved sleep quality and remarkably attenuated HAMA and HAMD scores.

Combined MLD and KT may be an effective approach for relieving postoperative pain and edema in patients with PVNS.

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) was characterized as patient-centered, evidence-based, multidisciplinary team-developed routes for a surgical speciality and institution to improve postoperative recovery and attenuate the surgical stress response. However, evidence of their effectiveness in osteoarthroplasty remains sparse. This study aimed to develop an ERAS standard and evaluate the significance of ERAS interventions for postoperative outcomes after primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

We searched Medline, Embase, Cochrane databases, and Clinicaltrials.gov for randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and case-control studies until 24 February 2023. All relevant data were collected from studies meeting the inclusion criteria. Two reviewers independently assessed the risk of bias and extracted data. The primary outcome was the length of stay (LOS), postoperative complications, and readmission rate. The secondary outcomes included transfusion rate, mortality rate, visual analog score (VAS), the Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Short Form 36 (SF-36) bodily pain (SF-36 BP), SF-36 physical function (SF-36 PF), oxford knee score, and range of motion (ROM).

A total of 47 studies involving 76 971 patients (ERAS group: 29 702, control group: 47 269) met the inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. The result showed that ERAS could significantly shorten the LOS (WMD = -2.65, P < .001), reduce transfusion rate (OR = 0.40, P < .001), and lower 30-day postoperative mortality (OR = 0.46, P = .01) without increasing postoperative complications or readmission rate. Apart from that, ERAS may decrease patients' VAS (WMD = -0.88, P = .01) while improving their ROM (WMD = 6.65, P = .004), SF-36 BP (WMD = 4.49, P < .001), and SF-36 PF (WMD = 3.64, P < .001) scores. However, there was no significant difference in WOMAC, oxford knee score between the ERAS and control groups.Furthermore, we determined that the following seven components of the ERAS program are highly advised: avoid bowel preparation, PONV prophylaxis, standardized anesthesia, use of local anesthetics for infiltration analgesia and nerve blocks, tranexamic acid, prevent hypothermia, and early mobilization.

Our meta-analysis suggested that the ERAS could significantly shorten the LOS, reduce transfusion rate, and lower 30-day postoperative mortality without increasing postoperative complications or readmission rate after THA and TKA. Meanwhile, ERAS could decrease the VAS of patients while improving their ROM, SF-36 BP, and SF-36 PF scores. Finally, we expect future studies to utilize the seven ERAS elements proposed in our meta-analysis to prevent increased readmission rate for patients with THA or TKA.

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is recognized as the most effective surgical intervention for relieving pain and improving joint mobility and deformity in patients with knee osteoarthritis and other synovial diseases. The application of accelerated postoperative rehabilitation (enhanced recovery after surgery) has demonstrated its efficacy in improving patient outcomes, and early postoperative joint function exercise has become a key prognostic factor in knee replacement. The unexpected appearance of limb pain and swelling hindered the patient's tendency for early mobilization, leading in prolonged hospitalization, delayed functional recovery and negative psychological responses.

To investigate the impact of incorporating programmed pain nursing with collaborative nursing on elderly patients undergoing knee replacement surgery.

A retrospective analysis was conducted on a cohort of 116 patients who underwent TKA at our hospital between July 2019 and July 2021. The patients were divided into two groups: A control group (n = 58) receiving programmatic nursing, and an observed group (n = 58) receiving programmed nursing combined with a collaborative nursing model. A pain management team consisting of attending physicians, head nurses, and responsible nurses was established. Outcome measures included visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, activities of daily living (ADL) scale scores, and functional scores.

The ADL scores of patients in both groups exhibited a continuous increase. However, there was no statistically significant difference in the ADL scores between the two groups at 48 h and the 7th d post-surgery (P > 0.05). Upon reexamination at the 3rd mo, the observation group demonstrated higher ADL scores compared to the control group (67.48 ± 14.69 vs 59.40 ± 16.06, P < 0.05). The VAS scores of both groups significantly decreased, with no significant difference observed between the groups at each time point (P > 0.05). The functional status of patients in both groups exhibited a gradual increase prior to intervention and at the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd month following discharge (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in knee joint function scores between the two groups at the 1st month after discharge (47.52 vs 45.81, P > 0.05). However, the knee joint function scores of patients in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group at the 2nd (59.38 vs 53.19, P < 0.05) and 3rd month (71.92 vs 64.34, P < 0.05) following discharge.

The utilization of programmed pain nursing in conjunction with collaborative nursing for out-of-hospital care of TKA patients has demonstrated favorable outcomes, encompassing pain reduction, enhanced prognosis, and improved nursing quality for patients.

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) is a pathway designed to improve the care of surgical patients and achieve early recovery. The clinical outcomes and usage of key elements of ERAS pathways in total joint arthroplasty (TJA) need further reanalysis. This article aims to provide an overview of the latest clinical outcomes and current usage of key elements of ERAS pathways in TJA.

We undertook a systematic review of the PubMed, OVID, and EMBASE databases in February 2022. Studies investigating the clinical outcomes and usage of key elements of ERAS in TJA were included. The components of successful ERAS programs and their usage were further determined and discussed.

Twenty-four studies involving 216,708 patients assessed ERAS pathways for TJA. A total of 95.8% (23/24) of studies reported a reduced length of stay (LOS), followed by reduce overall opioid consumption or pain (87.5% [7/8]), save costs (85.7% [6/7]), improvements in patient-reported outcomes or functional recovery (60% [6/10]), and reduced incidence of complications (50% [5/10]). In addition, preoperative patient education (79.2% [19/24]), anesthetic protocol (54.2% [13/24]), use of local anesthetics for infiltration analgesia or nerve blocks (79.2% [19/24]), perioperative oral analgesia (66.7% [16/24]), perioperative surgical factors including reduced use of tourniquets and drains (41.7% [10/24]), use of tranexamic acid (41.7% [10/24]) and early mobilization (100% [24/24]) were contemporary comparatively "active" components of ERAS.

ERAS for TJA has favorable clinical outcomes in terms of reducing LOS and overall pain, saving costs, accelerating functional recovery, and reducing complications, although the evidence is still low in quality. In the current clinical scenario, only some "active" components of the ERAS program are widely used.

Studies investigating complications between octogenarians and non-octogenarians undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are limited. Therefore, we investigated whether octogenarians are at greater odds of: (1) in-hospital lengths of stay (LOS) (2) readmission rates, (3) medical complications, and (4) hardware complications compared to non-octogenarians following TKA.

A retrospective query of the PearlDiver database isolated 1,775,460 patients who underwent primary TKA from 2005 to 2014. Patients aged 80 and above represented the study cohort (n = 295,908) and patients 65 to 79 represented the control cohort (n = 1,479,552). Study group patients were matched to controls in a 1:5 ratio according to gender and medical comorbidities. Pearson's Chi Square and logistic regression were used to analyze the primary outcomes of the study which included 90-day medical complications, 90-day readmission rates, 2-year implant-related complications, and in-hospital LOS. A p-value less than 0.001 was statistically significant.

Octogenarians were found to have significantly higher incidence and odds of 90-day readmission rates (10.59 vs. 9.35%; OR: 1.15, p < 0.0001) and significantly longer in-hospital LOS (3.69 days ± 1.95 vs. 3.23 days ± 1.83, p < 0.0001) compared to controls. Octogenarians also had equal incidence and odds of developing any medical complication (1.26 vs. 1.26%; OR: 0.99, p = 0.99) and lower incidence and odds (1.67 vs. 1.93%; OR: 0.86, p < 0.001) of implant-related complications compared to controls.

Octogenarians undergoing primary TKA have similar odds of medical related complications and lower odds of implant-related complications compared to non-octogenarian patients, whereas readmission rates and in-hospital LOS are greater.

Limited health literacy is associated with negative clinical outcomes. Although research on health literacy has increased in recent years, there is still a lack of evidence for orthopaedic patients undergoing joint replacement and in the rehabilitation sector.

The aims of this study were to assess health literacy of patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and to observe its course during rehabilitation. Furthermore, we aimed to investigate associations between health literacy and clinical outcomes as well as differences regarding rehabilitation settings.

In this prospective observational study, data about (n = 92) patients' health literacy and clinical outcomes were collected. Baseline assessments were conducted preoperatively (T0) and followed-up after three (T1) and six (T2) months. Health literacy was assessed with the European Health Literacy Questionnaire, pain scores, functional restrictions and activity levels with standardised patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Subgroup analyses were conducted regarding inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation.

Out of 92 patients, 77 completed postoperative rehabilitation between T0 and T1. Health literacy improved from T0 to T1 (p < 0.001) and subsequently remained constant until T2. Although the study showed an average improvement in health literacy scores in post-discharge rehabilitation, subgroup analyses indicated that patients did not achieve higher levels of health literacy. Pain scores were higher in patients undergoing outpatient rehabilitation (p = 0.022). No differences were found in other outcomes regarding rehabilitation settings and health literacy.

Based on our results, there seems to be no association between health literacy and clinical outcomes. Furthermore, the results regarding health literacy over the rehabilitation period indicated a need for enhancement of educational strategies to strengthen health literacy in the context of inpatient and outpatient orthopaedic rehabilitation.