Vasfi Karatosun

The effect of preoperative physiotherapy and education on the outcome of total hip replacement: a prospective randomized controlled trial:

Objective: To investigate the effects of preoperative physical therapy for patients undergoing total hip replacement. Design: Prospective randomized controlled study. Setting: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology in a university hospital. Subjects: Sixty patients with osteoarthritis of the hip scheduled to receive total hip replacement were randomly assigned into two groups. Interventions: Subjects in the study group received preoperative physiotherapy designed to strengthen the muscles of the upper and lower limbs and to improve range of motion of the hip, beginning from eight weeks before the operation. These patients also received an educational programme about living with a prosthesis. The control group received no preoperative physiotherapy or educational programme. Main outcome measures: Patients were evaluated at baseline (study group only, eight weeks prior to operation), before surgery, at discharge, three months and two years postoperatively using Harris Hip Score, visual analogue scale and range at hip abduction. Results: Although patients in the study group performed transfer activities earlier than the control group, there were no significant differences between the groups at discharge with regard to the improvement in Harris Hip Score (p < 0.48) and hip adduction (p < 0.97) and visual analogue scale at rest (p < 0.54) and activity (p < 0.89). At the latest follow-up (two years postoperatively) both groups had improved in Harris Hip Score, but rate of improvement between the groups was similar (p < 0.05). Conclusions: We conclude that the routine use of preoperative physiotherapy and education programme is not useful in total hip replacement surgery.

ABILITY TO RISE INDEPENDENTLY FROM A CHAIR DURING 6-MONTH FOLLOW-UP AFTER UNILATERAL AND BILATERAL TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to compare extensor mechanism function using a sit-to-stand test in patients undergoing uni- and bilateral total knee replacement, with a 6-month follow-up. DESIGN Prospective controlled study. PATIENTS The series included 72 patients with total knee replacement (unilateral 32 patients, bilateral 40 patients). METHODS All patients were evaluated pre-operatively by the physiotherapist and then at 2-weekly intervals during the postoperative 6 months using Hospital for Special Surgery knee score, and range of motion. Extensor mechanism function was evaluated at the same time points using a sit-to-stand test. RESULTS At the end of study, there was no difference between the groups in their knee range of motion and Hospital for Special Surgery scores (p>0.05). There was a significant difference between the groups in their chair rising ability (p<0.05). At 2 weeks, 22% of patients in the group with unilateral total knee replacement and 20% of patients in the group with bilateral total knee replacement could rise independently. However, there was significant difference in favour of unilateral total knee replacement at 4, 6, 8 and 10 weeks. At 10 weeks, all patients in the group with unilateral total knee replacement and at 6 months all patients in the group with bilateral total knee replacement could rise independently. CONCLUSION We conclude that patients with unilateral total knee replacement gain independence earlier than patients with bilateral total knee replacement. However, for patients with bilateral total knee replacement eventually to gain independence, they should be prepared for a longer rehabilitation programme.

Treatment of cubitus varus using the Ilizarov technique of distraction osteogenesis

Seven children with a post-traumatic cubitus varus deformity were treated using the Ilizarov technique of distraction osteogenesis. The outcome was rated as excellent in each case and all were satisfied with the cosmetic appearance. No complications had been encountered by the latest follow-up at a mean of 66.7 months. This technique seems reliable for the treatment of such deformities, provided that it achieves full correction by gradual distraction. Nerve palsy and unsightly scars are avoided, and the range of movement of adjacent joints is preserved.

Tibialis posterior tendon abnormalities in feet with accessory navicular bone and flatfoot

To assess tibialis posterior tendon (TPT) pathology, we investigated 27 feet with the accessory navicular bone and 22 normal feet by MRI. We found two major anatomical differences in the feet with the accessory navicular bone; the TPT directly inserted in the accessory navicular bone, without any continuity to the sole of the foot or with a slip, less than 1 mm in thickness, and there was a mass with the density of fibrocartilage tissue, between the tendon and the bone in 20/27 feet. These abnormalities were not detected in the control group. 3 patients in the study group were operated on and the MRI findings were confirmed. These findings suggest that patients with the accessory navicular bone and flatfoot should be examined by MRI for insertion abnormalities of the TPT.

Do orthopaedic journals provide high-quality evidence for clinical practice?

BackgroundIn the hierarchy of research designs, randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses are considered to be evidence of the highest grade, and scientific journals are the main source of scientific information.MethodsUsing the National Library of Medicine Medline database, all randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses from 1966 to 1999 were retrieved from the journals indexed in the core list of the Science Citation Index in 1999, dedicated primarily to orthopaedics. The abstracts of the articles were reviewed independently by each author and classified by the year, journal name and subject.ResultsThe total number of articles was 36,293, of which only 671 were randomized controlled trials (1.85%) and 12 were meta-analyses (0.03%). Although there was a progressively increasing trend for randomized controlled trials, more than half of them (81.9%) were published in four journals. Of the randomized controlled trials, 66% was about arthroplasty, and hip and knee arthroplasties covered 90.7%.ConclusionAlthough the number of randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses is tending to increase, the conclusion of this study is that the high-quality evidence provided by the major orthopaedic journals is quite low, and more randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses are needed for evidence-based orthopaedic practice.

Comparison of two different rehabilitation programmes for thrust plate prosthesis: a randomized controlled study

Objective: Weight bearing after total hip arthroplasty is postponed in order to prevent early loosening, but this negatively affects the rehabilitation programme. For the force transfer characteristics of thrust plate prosthesis (TPP), a new type of hip prosthesis used without cement is similar to the normal hip. We evaluated the possibilities of early weight bearing after TPP by comparing early partial with early full weight bearing. Design: Randomized controlled study. Setting: Department of orthopaedics and traumatology in a university hospital. Subjects: Sixty hips of 51 patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty with TPP were randomly assigned into two groups. Interventions: Both groups received accelerated rehabilitation programmes: group 1 with early partial weight bearing and group 2 with early full weight bearing. Main outcome measures: Patients were evaluated by a blind observer preoperatively, at three months after surgery by clinical (measurement of range of hip motion (universal goniometry), muscle strength (Manual Muscle Test), functional test (6-minute walk test), hip function (Harris Hip Scoring System)) and radiographical parameters and one year after surgery by clinical (Harris Hip Scoring System) and radiographical parameters. Results: Group 2 performed transfer activities earlier, had more walking distance at the time of discharge and shorter hospital stay than group 1. At three months, Harris Hip Score, muscle strength, 6-minute walk test, and duration of crutch use were significantly (p < 0.05) in favour of group 2. None of the patients in either group showed signs of loosening one year after the operation. Conclusions: These results suggest that patients with TPP can tolerate an accelerated rehabilitation programme with early weight bearing and will gain the goals of rehabilitation earlier.

Patellectomy : An overview with reconstructive procedures

Patellectomy is a relatively old procedure and its effect on knee function has been a matter of controversy. Although indications for a patellectomy have been narrowed, patellectomy still is indicated as the last choice of treatment in certain situations including comminuted fractures, advanced chondromalacia or osteoarthritis, dislocations, infections, and tumoral conditions. Excision of the patella results in a decrease in the moment arm of the extensor mechanism, alteration of the forces acting on the tibiofemoral joint and instant center of motion, limitation of range of motion, anterior instability, loss of protection of the trochlea from injury, and poor cosmesis. A good technique of patellectomy should overcome all or at least some of these problems. Although comparison of various techniques of patellectomy is impossible because of the lack of prospective randomized trials, reinforcement techniques seem more logical than simple repair procedures.

The relationship between the tibialis posterior tendon and the accessory navicular.

Out of a total of 116 cadaver feet, 29 specimens were selected by means of palpation of the tuberosity of navicular for a possible presence of the accessory navicular. They were then radiographed and the accessory navicular was detected in ten. Also three fresh amputation specimens with an accessory navicular were added to the study. A total of 13 legs was dissected and in nine of them, the tibialis posterior tendon inserted directly into the accessory navicular without extending to the sole of the foot. In these feet, the second part of the tibialis posterior tendon originated from the accessory navicular, extending to the normal insertions. There was no connection between these two parts and when traction was applied to either one, no movement was observed in the other. Also a fibrocartilaginous mass was detected in four specimens, probably formed to resist the friction between the tendon and the bone. These results may explain the pronated foot in the presence of the navicular, due to the loss of the function of the tibialis posterior tendon.

Reliability of the six-minute walk test after total hip arthroplasty.

Background Walking ability is a crucial component of lower extremity function. Assessment of walking after total hip arthroplasty (THA) provides important information about the healing process. Walking endurance, an important functional component of walking, can be reliably measured with the 6-minute walk test (6 mWT). Even though the 6 mWT is commonly used in patients with THA, its reliability has never been reported for this patient population. The aim of this study is to assess the reliability of the test-retest 6 mWT after THA. Methods Thirty-four patients with THA performed two test trials on the same day, separated by a one hour seated rest. To assess reliability, intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC2,1 ), standard error of measurement (SEM), and smallest real difference (SRD) were calculated. Results The 6 mWT showed a high reliability. The patients walked 3.71 metres more at the end of the second 6 mWT in comparison with the first test. The ICC2,1 (AS95 ), SEM (m), SEM95 (m) and SRD95 (m) were 0.96 (0.92), 3.67, 7.19, and 10.17 m respectively. Conclusions Reliability of the 6 mWT was high in patients with THA. The 6 mWT is a simple and sensitive method to measure the functional performance in patients with THA in the clinical setting. Moreover, clinicians and researchers can use the 6 mWT to quantify even small changes in functional performance after THA.

Level of evidence in four selected rehabilitation journals.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the methodologic quality and level of evidence of publications in major peer-reviewed general rehabilitation journals (Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation [APMR], American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation [AJPMR], Clinical Rehabilitation [CR], and Physical Therapy [PT]). DESIGN Descriptive, comparative. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES All the articles published in AJPMR, APMR, CR, and PT between January 2005 and December 2009 were investigated. Type of study and level of evidence were recorded for all articles. Selection and assessment of articles were based on the title and abstract by 2 independent raters. RESULTS The most frequently published reports were randomized controlled trials (12.7%), followed by cross-sectional studies (12.1%), case reports/case series (10.3%), validation studies (9.3%), cohort studies (8.9%), clinical trials (7.5%), case-control studies (6.8%), and other study types (32.4%). When the articles were classified according to their level of evidence, level I studies most frequently appeared in CR (29.1%), followed by PT (11.0%), APMR (10.5%), and AJPMR (7.1%). Most of the meta-analyses (10) were in APMR, and there were none in AJPMR. CONCLUSIONS Randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses form only a small proportion of articles published in the current rehabilitation literature. The numbers of randomized controlled trials and meta-analysis are comparable with those in other fields.