Maria Burton

Interventions for enhancing adherence with physiotherapy: a systematic review

Poor adherence to treatment is commonplace and may adversely affect outcomes, efficiency and healthcare cost. The aim of this systematic review was to identify strategies to improve adherence with musculoskeletal outpatient treatment. Five suitable studies were identified which provided moderate evidence that a motivational cognitive-behavioural (CB) programme can improve attendance at exercise-based clinic sessions. There was conflicting evidence that adherence interventions increase short-term adherence with exercise. There was strong evidence that adherence strategies are not effective at improving long-term adherence with home exercise. Due to the multi-dimensional nature of non-adherence, the strategies to improve adherence with physiotherapy treatment are likely to be broad in spectrum. Combined interventions may be effective at promoting adherence with clinic appointments and exercise, though further research would be required to confirm this. Further research to increase basic understanding of the factors, which act as a barrier to adherence, could facilitate development of strategies to overcome non-adherence.

Outcome of complex fractures of the tibial plateau treated with a beam-loading ring fixation system

Fine-wire external fixation is accepted as a minimally invasive technique, which can provide better outcomes than traditional open methods in the management of complex fractures of the tibial plateau. Available fixators vary in their biomechanical stability, and we believe that a stable beam-loading system is essential for consistently good outcomes. We assessed, prospectively, the clinical, radiological and general health status of 20 of 21 consecutive patients with complex fractures of the tibial plateau who had been treated using a standard protocol, with percutaneous screw fixation and a neutralisation concept with a fine wire beam-loading fixator allowing early weight-bearing. Bony union was achieved in all patients, with 85% having good or excellent results. Full weight-bearing started during the first six weeks in 60% of patients. The general health status assessment correlated well with the knee scores and reflected a satisfactory outcome.

Treatment of displaced bicondylar tibial plateau fractures (OTA-41C2&3) in patients older than 60 years of age.

Objective To investigate the outcome (clinical, radiographic, and general health status) of the surgical treatment of displaced bicondylar tibial plateau fractures (OTA-41C) in patients >60 years old. Design Prospective cohort study. Setting Limb reconstruction service, university teaching hospital. Patients Eleven consecutive patients >60 years old with a mean age of 72 years (range 60 to 90 years). The indications for surgery were displaced bicondylar tibial fractures, open fractures, and fractures with severe soft tissue injury. Intervention All patients were treated according to a standard protocol, which involved limited articular reconstruction and percutaneous intrafragmentary screw fixation, followed by neutralization with a stable beam-loading external fixator and early mobilization. Main Outcome Measurements The clinical outcome was assessed using Rasmussens system and the Iowa knee score. For general health assessment, the anglicized SF-36 was used. Radiographic assessment was performed for redisplacement and angulation on digitized radiographs. Results After a mean follow-up of 38 months (range 18 to 51 months), bony union was achieved in all patients. Seven of 11 patients started full weight bearing 2 to 6 weeks postoperatively. According to Rasmussens system, 9 of 11 (82%) scored satisfactory results. Radiographic redisplacement was found in three severely comminuted cases resulting in ≥10° of valgus malunion. One patient received a corrective osteotomy while still in the fixator. Another needed TKA. Limited knee flexion was found in three patients with cross knee fixation. Superficial pin site infection occurred in five patients, but there were no cases of deep infections or septic arthritis. Conclusions All-ring external fixation, as a beam-loading system applied in a neutralizing mode, is a safe, stable, and reliable technique for the treatment of displaced bicondylar tibial plateau fractures in elderly patients.

The use of trans-articular and extra-articular external fixation for management of distal tibial intra-articular fractures

Twenty-nine consecutive cases of distal tibial intra-articular fractures treated by trans-articular or extra-articular external fixation techniques have been reviewed. Eleven cases were treated initially with a trans-articular dynamic axial fixator. Of these seven were converted to an extra-articular SHF, for a combination of poor ankle motion and delayed healing of the metaphyseo-diaphyseal dissociation (MDD). Three of these cases (two patients) required bone grafting for delayed healing of the diaphyseal component of the fracture. Apart from one refracture through the MDD, no major complications were seen. No deep infections and no angular malalignments were noted. There were 11 pin track infections. Subjective assessment using short form-36 (SF-36) questionnaires, however, revealed significant differences compared to a normal population particularly in physical function and pain at a mean follow-up of 21 months. Using Bones criteria for assessment of range of motion there were 62% excellent and good results, which dropped to 53% when fractures with a metaphyseo-diaphyseal extension were included. The use of minimally invasive techniques of internal fixation and stabilisation with a Sheffield hybrid frame in the management of distal tibial intra-articular fractures has minimal complications. Trans-articular external fixation is a good primary treatment for badly comminuted articular fractures with poor soft tissue condition. Conversion to extra-articular external fixation is recommended for slower healing fractures allowing ankle movement and early weight-bearing. The presence of a MDD dissociation lengthens the treatment time significantly, adds to the morbidity and affects final outcome.

Understanding older women’s decision making and coping in the context of breast cancer treatment

BackgroundPrimary endocrine therapy (PET) is a recognised alternative to surgery followed by endocrine therapy for a subset of older, frailer women with breast cancer. Choice of treatment is preference-sensitive and may require decision support. Older patients are often conceptualised as passive decision-makers. The present study used the Coping in Deliberation (CODE) framework to gain insight into decision making and coping processes in a group of older women who have faced breast cancer treatment decisions, and to inform the development of a decision support intervention (DSI).MethodsSemi-structured interviews were carried out with older women who had been offered a choice of PET or surgery from five UK hospital clinics. Women’s information and support needs, their breast cancer diagnosis and treatment decisions were explored. A secondary analysis of these interviews was conducted using the CODE framework to examine women’s appraisals of health threat and coping throughout the deliberation process.ResultsInterviews with 35 women aged 75-98 years were analysed. Appraisals of breast cancer and treatment options were sometimes only partial, with most women forming a preference for treatment relatively quickly. However, a number of considerations which women made throughout the deliberation process were identified, including: past experiences of cancer and its treatment; scope for choice; risks, benefits and consequences of treatment; instincts about treatment choice; and healthcare professionals’ recommendations. Women also described various strategies to cope with breast cancer and their treatment decisions. These included seeking information, obtaining practical and emotional support from healthcare professionals, friends and relatives, and relying on personal faith. Based on these findings, key questions were identified that women may ask during deliberation.ConclusionsMany older women with breast cancer may be considered involved rather than passive decision-makers, and may benefit from DSIs designed to support decision making and coping within and beyond the clinic setting.

The information and decision support needs of older women (>75 yrs) facing treatment choices for breast cancer: a qualitative study

Primary Endocrine Therapy (PET) is a good alternative to surgery for breast cancer in older frailer women. Overall survival rates are equivalent although rates of local control are inferior. There is little research regarding the decision support needs of older patients faced with this choice. This qualitative study aimed to explore these among older breast cancer patients offered a choice of treatment, as the basis to develop an appropriate decision support tool.

The balance of clinician and patient input into treatment decision-making in older women with operable breast cancer

Primary endocrine therapy (PET) is an alternative to surgery for oestrogen receptor positive operable breast cancer in some older women. However the decision to offer PET involves complex trade‐offs and is influenced by both patient choice and healthcare professional (HCP) preference. This study aimed to compare the views of patients and HCPs about this decision and explore decision‐making (DM) preferences and whether these are taken into account during consultations.

Information needs and decision making preferences of older women offered a choice between surgery and primary endocrine therapy for early breast cancer

To establish older womens (≥75 years) information preferences regarding 2 breast cancer treatment options: surgery plus adjuvant endocrine therapy versus primary endocrine therapy. To quantify womens preferences for the mode of information presentation and decision‐making (DM) style.

Bridging the age gap in breast cancer: evaluation of decision support interventions for older women with operable breast cancer: protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial

Introduction While breast cancer outcomes are improving steadily in younger women due to advances in screening and improved therapies, there has been little change in outcomes among the older age group. It is inevitable that comorbidities/frailty rates are higher, which may increase the risks of some breast cancer treatments such as surgery and chemotherapy, many older women are healthy and may benefit from their use. Adjusting treatment regimens appropriately for age/comorbidity/frailty is variable and largely non-evidence based, specifically with regard to rates of surgery for operable oestrogen receptor-positive disease and rates of chemotherapy for high-risk disease. Methods and analysis This multicentre, parallel group, pragmatic cluster randomised controlled trial (RCT) (2015-18) reported here is nested within a larger ongoing ‘Age Gap Cohort Study’ (2012-18RP-PG-1209-10071), aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a complex intervention of decision support interventions to assist in the treatment decision making for early breast cancer in older women. The interventions include two patient decision aids (primary endocrine therapy vs surgery/antioestrogen therapy and chemotherapy vs no chemotherapy) and a clinical treatment outcomes algorithm for clinicians. Ethics and dissemination National and local ethics committee approval was obtained for all UK participating sites. Results from the trial will be submitted for publication in international peer-reviewed scientific journals. IRAS reference 115550. Trial registration number European Union Drug Regulating Authorities Clinical Trials (EudraCT) number 2015-004220-61;Pre-results. Sponsors Protocol Code Number Sheffield Teaching Hospitals STH17086. ISRCTN 32447*.

Measuring Hip Development Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Background: Abnormal hip development can have severe consequences if not detected and treated early. Previous studies have shown that if the abnormality is detected early, the outcome is good. Much is known about embryological hip development (weeks 1-10 after conception) from postmortem examination. For ethical reasons, information about hip development in the fetal stage of pregnancy (10 weeks to term) is less certain as it is largely gained from animal studies and from early radiograph studies. A few autopsy-based studies have been reported looking at hip development, but no one has shown, to our knowledge, that postmortem magnetic resonance is able to provide the same and possibly more information. The aim of this study was to assess the value of magnetic resonance imaging in providing information on fetal hip development. Methods: Measurements of 30 patients (gestation, 17-42 weeks) were made regarding the width and depth of the acetabulum and the radius and diameter of the femoral head; volume and area were calculated. Results: With the exception of the acetabular width, each dimension showed little development until week 20 when growth rose exponentially. The acetabular width showed a slow rate of growth, despite changes in the femoral head. Levels of observer agreement were high for all but depth (intraclass correlation coefficients, 0.90). Conclusions: The measurements were in line with previous postmortem studies. Magnetic resonance imaging is a valid alternative to postmortem in the assessment of hip development. Magnetic resonance imaging has the potential to alert clinicians to the possible abnormal development, allowing early intervention. Study Design: Cross-sectional study with purposive sampling. Level of Evidence: Level III.