Falls in patients after total hip arthroplasty in Japan

Early Biomechanical Recovery Following Total Hip Arthroplasty Is Associated With Preoperative Hip Muscle Fat-Fraction

Understanding risk factors for delayed functional recovery following total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a critical gap in postoperative rehabilitation. The purpose of this study was to assess for imaging factors associated with change in biomechanical function following THA. We hypothesized that muscle quality (as quantified by fat-fraction) and arthritis (OA) severity, as determined from advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences, would be associated with biomechanical recovery. Ten patients undergoing primary THA for OA were prospectively recruited and underwent preoperative MRI with advanced sequences to assess hip muscle fat-fraction and OA severity. Biomechanical function was assessed using 3D motion analysis of sit-to-stand movement tasks. Relationships between muscle fat-fraction, OA severity, and biomechanical function were assessed using a Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (ρ). Preoperative biomechanical function was most strongly associated with OA severity (ρ = -0.68, p = 0.03), with more severe OA predicting worse biomechanical function. Muscle fat-fraction was not related to preoperative function. Postoperative biomechanical function was most strongly associated with preoperative muscle fat fraction (gluteus medius: ρ = -0.58, p = 0.08; gluteus minimus: ρ = -0.72, p = 0.02; tensor fascia lata: ρ = -0.59, p = 0.07), with worse muscle fat-fraction predicting poor function. OA severity was not associated with postoperative function (ρ = 0.22, p = 0.54). Importantly, muscle fat-fraction was not related to OA severity. Radiographic OA severity was the best predictor of preoperative biomechanical function, but postoperative function was best predicted by preoperative muscle fat-fraction. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: While the impact of OA on biomechanical function may be corrected with arthroplasty, muscle quality is not addressed with THA and may represent a target for patient-specific optimization and rehabilitation.

Incidence and Determinants of Falls Following Hip and Knee Joint Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Hip and knee joint arthroplasty is a common procedure. The true incidence and predictors of postoperative falls remain uncertain. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to (1) determine the overall incidence of falls post hip and knee joint arthroplasty, (2) identify risk factors associated with these falls, and (3) evaluate the effectiveness of fall prevention strategies and interventions in reducing fall incidence. This systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and was registered in PROSPERO. This research was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Wiley Online Library. Two independent reviewers screened studies by title, abstract, and full text. The quality of the included articles was assessed using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS). A total of 1,282 publications were identified, leading to the review of 988 patients aged between 60 and 88 years, reviewed for this systematic review from seven full-text articles. Fall incidence post total knee arthroplasty (TKA) varied, with five reporting increased rates (36%, 32.9%, 38.2%, 22.1%, and 32%) and two indicating a decrease (50% and 26.4% reduction). All studies emphasized the role of postoperative limitations and psychological factors on fall risk. Additionally, patients living alone had higher odds of falling, highlighting the need for targeted postoperative care. While fall incidence post hip and knee arthroplasty varies, improvements in quality of life and functional outcomes following surgery are reported. Future research should focus on larger sample sizes, control groups, objective assessments, extended follow-up periods, and various joint replacements.

Fall Prevention after Hip and Knee Arthroplasty

Despite the success of total knee arthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty, patients face an increased risk of postoperative falls, often due to surgery-induced changes in muscle strength. Falls can lead to serious consequences, including fractures and reduced quality of life. The majority of falls related to total joint arthroplasty occurs outside the hospital. Effective fall prevention strategies, such as patient education, exercise interventions, environmental modifications, and medication management, are crucial for reducing fall risks and improving patient outcomes. Continued research and innovation in fall prevention are essential for improving patient safety and well-being following joint arthroplasty.

Bibliometric-based visualization analysis of hotspots and trends in falls research among older hospitalized patients (2013-2023)

Purpose

We utilized Citespace 6.2 R4 software to visualize and analyze the literature published within the past decade (2013-2023) pertaining to falls in elderly hospitalized patients, with the objective of examining the progression and patterns of focal points within this research domain. Our aim is to offer a valuable reference and foundation for related studies and to provide guidance for healthcare professionals and researchers in advancing further exploration and implementation of strategies for preventing and managing falls in elderly patients.

Methods

We conducted a literature search in the Web of Science database using keywords such as "older hospitalized patients" and "fall" to develop a search strategy that was highly relevant to the topic of falls among older hospitalized patients. We further limited the literature time range to January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2023, to capture the latest research trends over the past decade. In terms of literature type, we focused on "article" and excluded conference papers, reviews, editorials, etc., to ensure the scientific rigor and reliability of the study. During the screening process, we excluded duplicate publications and those documents that were not directly related to falls among older hospitalized patients, such as those primarily discussing falls in other age groups or non-hospital environments. Although our search had no language restrictions, we only included English-language literature to ensure consistency and readability of the language. Additionally, we evaluated the quality of the literature and excluded those with unclear research methods or unreliable results to ensure the reliability of the research findings. Subsequently, we utilized CiteSpace 6.2 R4 software to generate a knowledge map for visualization and analysis.

Results

Our analysis included a total of 321 articles. The results showed that the majority of contributions in this field came from the United States and China, both of which exhibited an intermediary centrality >0.1, indicating their significant influence. Harvard University became the leading institution with the most published articles (n = 8), while Imagama was identified as the most prolific author (n = 6). Moving forward, combining keywords with the strongest citation bursts, it is expected that the research trends in this field in the future will focus on epidemiology, aging, and health-related topics.

Conclusion

Our study presents a comprehensive investigation into the evolution and trends of research focal points regarding falls in elderly hospitalized patients from 2013 to 2023. Our findings reveal a significant increase in attention toward this research area over the past decade, with a growing number of studies being conducted. Fall risk assessment, prevention strategies, rehabilitation interventions, and costs associated with falls have emerged as the primary research focal points within this field. Furthermore, epidemiology, aging population dynamics, and health outcomes continue to be enduring areas of interest for researchers post-2018 and warrant additional emphasis from scholars.

Effectiveness of prehabilitation on outcomes following total knee and hip arthroplasty for osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

PURPOSE

To quantify the effectiveness of prehabilitation prior to total knee and hip arthroplasty (TKA/THA) for osteoarthritis on postoperative outcomes assessed by self-report and performance-based measures.

METHODS

Embase, MEDLINE, CENTRAL, CINAHL and Scopus (inception-August 2022) were searched for randomized controlled trials. Self-report outcomes were function, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and pain. Performance-based outcomes were strength, range of motion (ROM), balance, and functional mobility. The RoB 2.0 assessed risk of bias. Random-effects meta-analysis was performed up to 52 weeks after TKA/THA.

RESULTS

High risk of bias was found in 24 of 28 trials. Prehabilitation improved function (SMD = 0.50 [95%CI: 0.23, 0.77]), pain (SMD = 0.44 [95%CI: 0.17, 0.71]), HRQoL (SMD = 0.28 [95%CI: 0.12, 0.43]), strength (SMD = 0.72 [95%CI: 0.47, 0.98]), ROM (SMD = 0.31 [95%CI: 0.02, 0.59]), and functional mobility (SMD = 0.39 [95%CI: 0.05, 0.73]) post-TKA. No significant effect of prehabilitation on balance (SMD = 0.28 [95%CI: -0.11, 0.66]) post-TKA. All outcomes assessed had significant heterogeneity (p < 0.01). There were limited and contradictory trials (n = 2) for THA.

CONCLUSION

High risk of bias and significant heterogeneity observed in our meta-analysis prevent conclusions regarding prehabilitation effectiveness on outcomes up to one year after TKA/THA.

Mobile assessment of visual function helps to prevent Re-Injury in elderly patients with recent hip fractures

INTRODUCTION

Patients undergoing surgery due to hip fracture face an elevated risk of a subsequent fall during rehabilitation. An important contributing factor to this risk is deteriorated visual function, often responsive to intervention. This study aims to explore differences in visual acuity (VA) and stereovision (SV) between individuals with a history of fall-related hip injuries (study group) and age-matched controls, utilizing a mobile application (EuvisionTab, ET) to distinguish age-related visual decline from pathological vision.

MATERIALS & METHODS

A total of 32 and 71 participants were enrolled in the study and control groups, respectively (mean age: 74.9 years, range: 60-96). Monocular logMAR VA was measured using a tablet by means of an adaptive threshold-search algorithm. SV was assessed using low-dot density static and dynamic random dot stereograms. An age-dependent reference limit for VA was established. For ET stereotests, the number of correctly identified optotypes out of 10 random presentations served as the measure for further comparisons. Visually impaired status in the study group was determined if patients failed either the VA threshold or the SV criteria.

RESULTS

In the control group, an apparent but statistically nonsignificant decline in VA was observed, while stereovision remained stable and did not exhibit significant age-related variations based on ET stereotests. Conversely, the study group demonstrated significantly worse results in monocular VA (p = 0.0032) and for both stereotests (p = 0.018 for static, p = 0.036 for dynamic) according to paired samples t-test and chi-square test, respectively. Hip injuries were significantly associated with visual impairment (OR = 4.88, p = 0.0012).

DISCUSSION

This study focuses on one possible risk factor of elderly falls, namely, vision impairment. Patients with visual decay present a higher incidence of hip injuries compared to age-matched controls. This data suggest that vision screening and, when feasible, restoration of visual function may contribute to the prevention of secondary falls, refractures, or contralateral fractures. A mobile-based screening protocol, executable as part of a postoperative bedside examination and independent of specialized eye care, can be proposed.

Impaired Perception of Body-Weight Distribution Marks Functional Mobility Problems in Patients Undergoing Total Hip Arthroplasty

Hip osteoarthritis and total hip arthroplasty imply damaged articular and periarticular structures responsible for proprioception, and this damage may impair the accurate perception of body-weight distribution. In this study, we investigated proprioceptive abilities and accuracy perceiving body-weight distribution in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty, and we assessed the associations between these abilities and body perception accuracy with functional mobility testing in 20 patients scheduled for total hip arthroplasty and 20 age-matched healthy participants. We assessed (a) absolute error in hip joint position sense (AE-JPS), (b) absolute error in body-weight distribution (AE-BWD) during standing and sit-to-stand tasks with open and closed eyes, and (c) functional mobility with the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG). We assessed patients undergoing hip arthroplasty before (T0) and five days after their surgery (T1), while control participants underwent a single evaluation. Relative to controls, participants undergoing surgery showed higher AE-JPS at 15° of hip flexion at T0 (p = .003) and at T1 (p = .007), greater AE-BWD during sit-to-stand with open eyes at T1 (p = .014) and with closed eyes at both T0 (p = .014) and at T1 (p < .001), and worse TUG at both T0 (p = .009) and T1 (p < .001). AE-BWD during sit-to-stand with closed eyes positively correlated with TUG at T0 (r = 0.55, p = .011) and at T1 (r = 0.51, p = .027). These findings suggested that impairments in body-weight distribution perception were evident both before and immediately after total hip arthroplasty, suggesting that these impairments may regularly mark these patients' functional mobility problems.

Association of affected and non-affected side ability with postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

Although several reports have examined the association between preoperative function and postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA), it is unclear whether the ability of the affected or non-affected side particularly impacts on outcomes. We aimed to investigate the association between affected and non-affected side ability and walking independence.

METHODS

We prospectively enrolled 721 consecutive patients who underwent THA. Preoperatively, quadriceps isometric strength (QIS) and one-leg standing time (OLST) were measured. The endpoints were walking independence within 3, 5, 7, 10, and 14 days postoperatively. The associations between preoperative abilities and outcomes were examined using multivariate Cox hazard model, and the area under the curves (AUCs) for outcomes were compared.

RESULTS

We analysed 540 patients after excluding patients who met the exclusion criteria. Both affected and non-affected QIS predicted walking independence within 3 (p = 0.006 and 0.001, respectively), 5, 7, 10, and 14 (both p < 0.001) days postoperatively. For OLST, only the affected side did not predict walking independence within 3 days postoperatively (p = 0.154 and 0.012, respectively), and both sides did at days 5 (p = 0.019 and <0.001, respectively), 7, 10, and 14 (both p < 0.001). The AUCs of the non-affected side ability for walking independence were significantly greater than those of the affected side on postoperative days 3 (0.66 vs. 0.73; p = 0.021) and 5 (0.67 vs. 0.71; p = 0.040), with no significant difference after day 7.

CONCLUSIONS

Both sides abilities were associated with walking independence after THA, but non-affected side was found to be particularly crucial for early walking independence.

The Impact of Living Arrangements on the Prevalence of Falls after Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Comparison between Institutionalized and General Geriatric Population

Due to population aging, there is an increasing need for orthopedic surgery, especially total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA). In geriatric patients, postoperative falls are common events which can compromise the success of these expensive procedures. The aim of our study was to assess the influence of living arrangements on the prevalence of postoperative falls following joint replacement. We included 441 patients after TKA or THA, living in nursing homes, alone or with family. The prevalence of falls in the first 2 years (15.2%) was significantly influenced by living arrangements: patients with TKA or THA living alone had three times higher odds of falling compared to those living with family, and institutionalized patients with THA had four times higher odds of falling compared to those living with family. Of 67 patients who fell, 6 (8.9%) needed reintervention. For TKA patients, the fall rates were not significantly different between institutions and family, indicating the interest of nursing homes in offering proper care. However, for the THA group, the results were poorer, emphasizing the need for improvement in postoperative rehabilitation. Further multi-centric studies are required for generalizing the impact of living arrangements on fall prevalence after joint replacement.

Effects of cross-training on motor function and length of stay after total hip arthroplasty: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

There is no consensus about which training methods will give better early outcomes after total hip arthroplasty (THA).

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the short-term effects of cross trainer exercise on physical function and walking ability following THA.

METHODS

Fifty patients who underwent THA were randomly allocated into two groups. The intervention program was started 3 days after surgery. The main physical function results were pain, hip range of motion, knee extensor strength, single-leg stance time, and walking performance test. In addition, the number of days of requiring to walk and the length of hospital stay were recorded.

RESULTS

In the comparison between groups at discharge, the patients in the cross trainer group had significantly less hip pain while walking, improvement in knee extensor strength, increased single-leg stance time, as well as increased walking speed and stride length at discharge. The number of days required to walk and length of stay were also significantly lower in the intervention group.

CONCLUSIONS

Conclusions: Cross trainer exercise commencing 3 days postoperatively improves physical function and walking ability after THA.

The Relationship Between Duration of General Anesthesia and Postoperative Fall Risk During Hospital Stay in Orthopedic Patients

OBJECTIVES

We performed a retrospective observational study to investigate the relationship between general anesthesia duration and postoperative falls of hospitalized patients who underwent orthopedic surgery.

METHODS

We used electronic medical record data and incident report data from the Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University Hospital. The study included 4,042 patients admitted to the Department of Orthopedic Surgery from 2014 to 2018, and the following exclusion criteria were applied: no surgery, less than 18 years of age, and fall between admission and surgery. This study only considered falls that occurred within 21 days of surgery. The multivariate logistic regression model adjusted for patient background was used to determine the risk of falling according to the duration of general anesthesia.

RESULTS

After exclusions, 3,398 patients were included in the analysis. Among them, 45 patients (1.32%) had fallen, of whom 7 (15.6%) were injured and 2 (4.4%) experienced fractures. Multivariate logistic regression analysis to determine the adjusted odds ratio showed that longer general anesthesia duration was an independent risk factor for postoperative falls. In addition, cardiovascular disease had significantly higher associations with postoperative falls.

CONCLUSIONS

In the postoperative care of orthopedic patients, the risk of falling should be assessed by considering the duration of general anesthesia in addition to the traditional fall risk factors. Furthermore, falls could be prevented by educating patients and their caregivers about the risk and mobilizing staff to support postoperative patients at a higher risk of falls when they walk in the hospital.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Postoperative Falls Following Foot and Ankle Surgery

BACKGROUND

No study has examined the incidence of risk factors for postoperative falls following foot and ankle surgery. We investigated the incidence and risk factors for postoperative falls in foot and ankle surgery using inpatient and outpatient population.

METHODS

A single fellowship-trained foot and ankle surgeon instituted collection of a postoperative fall questionnaire at 2 and 6 weeks postoperatively. A retrospective review of 135 patients with complete prospectively collected fall questionnaire data was performed. Patient demographic information, injury characteristics, comorbidities, baseline medications, length of hospital stay, visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores were collected. After univariable analysis, a multivariable binary logistic regression was conducted to assess independent risk factors for postoperative falls.

RESULTS

The median (interquartile range) age was 52 (21) and body mass index was 32.7 (11.1). A total of 108 patients (80%) underwent outpatient procedures. Thirty-nine of the 135 patients (28.9%) reported experiencing a fall in the first 6 weeks after surgery. In multivariable analysis, antidepressant use (adjusted odds ratio 3.41, 95% CI 1.19-9.81) and higher VAS pain scores at 2 weeks postoperatively (adjusted odds ratio 1.27, 95% CI 1.08-1.50) were found to be independent risk factors for postoperative falls.

CONCLUSION

This study found a high incidence of postoperative falls in the first 6 weeks after foot and ankle surgery. Baseline antidepressant use and higher 2-week VAS pain scores were associated with postoperative falls. Foot and ankle surgeons should discuss the risk of falling with patients especially those with risk factors.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, retrospective cohort study at a single institution.

Balance Remains Impaired after Hip Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review and Best Evidence Synthesis

BACKGROUND

Hip arthroplasty (HA) is the most common intervention for joint replacement, but there is no consensus in the literature on the real influence of this procedure on balance, or on what factors in the pre-operative, surgical, and post-operative stages may affect it.

PURPOSE

To synthesize the evidence on how Hip Arthroplasty (HA) affects balance, identifying pre-operative, surgical, and postoperative risk factors that may impair balance in HA patients, with the aim to improve patients' management strategies.

METHODS

A literature search was performed on PubMed, PeDRO, and Cochrane Collaboration on 25 May 2021.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

clinical report of any level of evidence; written in English; with no time limitation; about balance changes in hip osteoarthritis (OA) patients undergoing HA and related factors.

RESULTS

27 papers (391 patients) were included. Overall, the evidence suggested that balance is impaired immediately after surgery and, 4-12 months after surgery, it becomes better than preoperatively, although without reaching the level of healthy subjects. A strong level of evidence was found for hip resurfacing resulting in better balance restoration than total HA (THA), and for strength and ROM exercises after surgery positively influencing balance.

CONCLUSION

Both the surgical technique and the post-operative protocols are key factors influencing balance; thus, they should be carefully evaluated when managing hip OA in patients undergoing HA. Moreover, balance at 4-12 months after surgery is better than preoperatively, although without reaching the level of the healthy population. Attention should be paid in the early post-operative phase, when balance may be impaired in patients undergoing HA.

The effect of video-assisted discharge education after total hip replacement surgery: a randomized controlled study

This study aimed to investigate the effect of a video-assisted discharge education program on activities of daily living, functionality, and patient satisfaction following total hip replacement (THR) surgery. This study included 31 patients who were randomly divided into the physiotherapy group (n = 18), and the video-assisted discharge education (VADE) group (n = 13). Both groups received a physiotherapy program. The VADE group was also received the VADE program. Face-to-face instruction was used in all of the educational programs. There was a significant difference in favor of the VADE group in Harris Hip Score, Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living Scale's movement score, Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia, Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (p < 0.05). There was a significant difference between groups on resting pain levels in the first week and on resting and activity pain levels in the third month in favor of the VADE group (p < 0.05). The results of this study demonstrated that VADE can be effective in improving patient satisfaction and functionality, reducing pain and kinesiophobia following THR.

Strong relationship of muscle force and fall efficacy, but not of gait kinematics, with number of falls in the year after Total Hip Arthroplasty for osteoarthritis: An exploratory study

BACKGROUND

In people with moderate hip osteoarthritis, gait kinematics was reported to be correlated with number of falls in the preceding year. After Total Hip Arthroplasty, subjects generally improve but still fall. The present study explores recovery and correlations with number of falls in the year after Total Hip Arthroplasty.

METHODS

We assessed 12 patients one year after Total Hip Arthroplasty, 12 patients with moderate hip osteoarthritis with at least one fall in the preceding year, and 12 healthy peers. Maximum hip abduction strength, Fall Efficacy Scale - International, Harris Hip Score, pain, and number of falls in the preceding year were assessed. Participants walked on a treadmill with increasing speeds, and gait kinematics were registered optoelectronically. We assessed group differences, and correlations of all variables with number of falls.

FINDINGS

After arthroplasty, subjects tended to score better on variables measured, often non-significantly, compared to subjects with moderate osteoarthritis, but worse than healthy peers. Maximum hip abduction strength together with fall efficacy had a strong regression on the number of falls in the preceding year (R² = 92%). Gait kinematics did not correlate with number of falls, and also fall efficacy was not related to gait kinematics.

INTERPRETATION

One year after hip arthroplasty, muscle strength sufficiently recovered for normal walking, but not to avoid falling in risky situations. Rehabilitation should focus on muscle strength. The lack of correlation between the Fall Efficacy International and gait kinematics, suggests that it reflected the experience of having fallen rather than fear.

Immediate Effects of Single-Session High-Velocity Training for Lateral Trunk Movement on Gait Function in Early Postoperative Patients after Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Nonrandomized Controlled Trial

Background: Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA) is an effective method for relieving pain and improving gait function. However, THA patients demonstrate slow gait speed at discharge. Rehabilitation programs after THA require the immediate improvement of gait speed early in the postoperative period. To examine the immediate effects of seated side tapping training (SSTT), which focuses on lateral trunk movement and movement velocity, on gait function in early postoperative THA patients, the methods were as follows: The SSTT group performed five repetitions of a task in which they moved their trunks laterally to alternately touch markers to their left and right side as quickly as possible 10 times in a seated position. One set of SSTT lasted approximately 3 min. The control group rested in a seated position for 10 min. Results: Significant interactions were observed for gait speed, stride time, and stride time coefficient of variability. The SSTT group demonstrated significant pre-post-intervention improvement in gait speed, stride time, and coefficient of variability. Conclusions: SSTT improved both gait speed and gait stability and can be performed easily and safely. Therefore, single-session high-velocity trunk training may be an effective method to improve gait function immediately in early postoperative THA patients.

Effects of incorporating elliptical trainer exercise during rehabilitation on physical function and self-reported outcomes after total hip arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial

[Purpose] To investigate the effects of incorporating elliptical trainer exercise in early rehabilitation after total hip arthroplasty on physical function and self-reported outcomes. [Participants and Methods] Participants with independent gait prior to total hip arthroplasty underwent conventional postoperative physiotherapy and were divided into two groups. The intervention group additionally underwent elliptical trainer exercise, while the control group underwent a walking program. The main outcomes were low back and hip region pain, lower limb muscle strength, single-leg stance time, Timed Up & Go Test results, 10 m walking test results, hip disability and osteoarthritis outcome score, and modified fall efficacy scale score. These outcomes were evaluated preoperatively, at discharge, and at 1 and 3 months postoperatively. [Results] Fifty participants (including 40 females; age, 68.3 ± 10.8 years) participated in this study. Physical function evaluations showed a significant improvement in hip region pain during walking at discharge. Knee extensor strength, single-leg stance time, stride length, and walking speed were significantly greater in the intervention group at discharge and at 1 and 3 months postoperatively. The modified fall efficacy scale score significantly improved in the intervention group 1 month postoperatively. [Conclusion] Elliptical trainer exercise and conventional physiotherapy in the early postoperative period contribute to improved physical function and walking ability and improvement in the fear of falling.

Prevalence of frailty and associated factors among community-dwelling older adults after total hip arthroplasty

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the prevalence of frailty and associated factors among community-dwelling older adults who have undergone total hip arthroplasty (THA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study, which employed a cross-sectional, observational design, was conducted between April and November 2020. The participants were older adults (⩾65 years) who had undergone primary THA at the study hospital. Based on Fried's modified phenotype, frailty was stratified into 3 degrees according to the presence of 3 or more of the following components: weight loss, weakness, exhaustion, low activity level, and slow walking speed. Multinomial logistic regression was used to analyse the associations of frailty with its potential risk factors.

RESULTS

The data of 518 participants were analysed. The overall prevalence of frailty and prefrailty was 11.4% and 51.0%, respectively. The multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that calf circumference (odds ratio [OR] 0.716, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.611-0.839; p < 0.001), fall history (OR 2.435, 95% CI, 1.114-5.322; p = 0.026), hip abductor muscle strength (OR 0.962, 95% CI, 0.938-0.987; p = 0.003), knee extensor muscle strength (OR 0.980, 95% CI, 0.964-0.996; p = 0.013), and Timed Up and Go test (TUG) performance (OR 1.802, 95% CI, 1.458-2.228; p < 0.001) were associated with frailty.

CONCLUSIONS

Frailty was highly prevalent in community-dwelling older adults after THA. Further, its potential associations with calf circumference, hip abductor and knee extensor muscle strength, TUG performance, and fall history highlight the significance of these factors for interventions.

Mobile Robot-Based Gait Training after Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA) Improves Walking in Biomechanical Gait Analysis

There are multiple attempts to decrease costs in the healthcare system while maintaining a high treatment quality. Digital therapies receive increasing attention in clinical practice, mainly relating to home-based exercises supported by mobile devices, eventually in combination with wearable sensors. The aim of this study was to determine if patients following total hip arthroplasty (THA) could benefit from gait training on crutches conducted by a mobile robot in a clinical setting.

METHOD

This clinical trial was conducted with 30 patients following total hip arthroplasty. Fifteen patients received the conventional physiotherapy program in the clinic (including 5 min of gait training supported by a physiotherapist). The intervention group of 15 patients passed the same standard physiotherapy program, but the 5-min gait training supported by a physiotherapist was replaced by 2 × 5 min of gait training conducted by the robot. Length of stay of the patients was set to five days. Biomechanical gait parameters of the patients were assessed pre-surgery and upon patient discharge.

RESULTS

While before surgery no significant difference in gait parameters was existent, patients from the intervention group showed a significant higher absolute walking speed (0.83 vs. 0.65 m/s, p = 0.029), higher relative walking speed (0.2 vs. 0.16 m/s, p = 0.043) or shorter relative cycle time (3.35 vs. 3.68 s, p = 0.041) than the patients from the control group.

CONCLUSION

The significant higher walking speed of patients indicates that such robot-based gait training on crutches may shorten length of stay (LOS) in acute clinics. However, the number of patients involved was rather small, thus calling for further studies.

Performance of the Hendrich Fall Risk Model II in Patients Discharged from Rehabilitation Wards. A Preliminary Study of Predictive Ability

(1) Background: Falls are a dangerous adverse event in patients discharged from rehabilitation units, with the risk of falling being higher in the first weeks after discharge. In this study, we assessed the predictive performance of the Hendrich Fall Risk Model II tool (HIIFRM) when administered before discharging patients to their home from rehabilitative units in orthopedic (OR), neurologic (NR) and pulmonary (PR) rehabilitation wards. (2) Methods: Over a 6-month period, all adult patients who returned home after discharge were assessed by HIIFRM. At six months from discharge the occurrence of falls was obtained by performing a structured survey. The HIIFRM predictive performance was determined by the area under the ROC curve (AUC), sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) for the whole sample and split by ward. (3) Results: 85 of 141 discharged patients were living at home and agreed to take part in the survey. Of these, 19 subjects fell, 6 suffered fractures or head traumas and 5 were hospitalized. The AUC was 0.809 (95% CI: 0.656–0.963), Se was 0.67 (0.30–0.93) and Sp was 0.79 (0.63–0.90) for OR patients. (4) Conclusions: Our preliminary results support the use of HIIFRM as a tool to be administered to OR patients at discharge and provides data for the design of a large study of predictive ability.

Machine Learning Predicts the Fall Risk of Total Hip Arthroplasty Patients Based on Wearable Sensor Instrumented Performance Tests

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of falls affects the wellbeing of aging adults and places an economic burden on the healthcare system. Integration of wearable sensors into existing fall risk assessment tools enables objective data collection that describes the functional ability of patients. In this study, supervised machine learning was applied to sensor-derived metrics to predict the fall risk of patients following total hip arthroplasty.

METHODS

At preoperative, 2-week, and 6-week postoperative appointments, patients (n = 72) were instrumented with sensors while they performed the timed-up-and-go walking test. Preoperative and 2-week postoperative data were used to form the feature sets and 6-week total times were used as labels. Support vector machine and linear discriminant analysis classifier models were developed and tested on various combinations of feature sets and feature reduction schemes. Using a 10-fold leave-some-subjects-out testing scheme, the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver-operator curve (AUC) were evaluated for all models.

RESULTS

A high performance model (accuracy = 0.87, sensitivity = 0.97, specificity = 0.46, AUC = 0.82) was obtained with a support vector machine classifier using sensor-derived metrics from only the preoperative appointment. An overall improved performance (accuracy = 0.90, sensitivity = 0.93, specificity = 0.59, AUC = 0.88) was achieved with a linear discriminant analysis classifier when 2-week postoperative data were added to the preoperative data.

CONCLUSION

The high accuracy of the fall risk prediction models is valuable for patients, clinicians, and the healthcare system. High-risk patients can implement preventative measures and low-risk patients can be directed to enhanced recovery care programs.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of fall incidence and risk factors in elderly patients after total joint arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

Falls in the elderly have become a serious social problem worldwide. Approximately a third of persons fall at least once in the year after total joint arthroplasty (TJA), but preventing and treating falls is still challenging in clinical practice. Until now, no formal systematic review or meta-analysis was performed to summarize the risk factors of falls after TJA. The present study aimed to quantitatively and comprehensively conclude the risk factors of falls after TJA in elderly patients.

METHODS

The electronic databases to be searched include CNKI, Embase, Medline, and Cochrane central database (all up to November 2018). All studies on the risk factors of falls after TJA in elderly patients without language restriction were reviewed. Process of evaluation of identified studies and extraction of data were independently conducted by 2 reviewers, qualities of included studies were assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Data were pooled and a meta-analysis completed. All analyses were performed by the software Stata 11.0.

RESULTS

A total of 14 studies were included, which altogether included 1284456 patients with TJA, of them 12879 cases of falls occurred after surgery, suggesting the accumulated incidence of 13.1% and the prevalence of in-hospital falls was 1.0%. This study has provided evidence for the preventing of falls in the elderly patients who were underwent TJA. Outcome measures include advanced age, female, Overweight (BMI≥25 kg/m), falls history, use of walking aid, diabetes, cardiac disease, hypertension, COPD and depressive symptoms. The ABC Scale was significantly negatively correlated with falls after lower extremity joint replacement.

CONCLUSIONS

Related prophylaxis strategies should be implemented in elderly patients involved with above-mentioned risk factors to prevent falls after TJA.

Are hip movement precautions effective in preventing prosthesis dislocation post hip arthroplasty using a posterior surgical approach? A systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

To determine if hip movement precautions reduce hip prosthesis dislocation rates post hip arthroplasty using a posterior surgical approach compared to minimal or no movement restrictions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and was registered prospectively. CINAHL, MEDLINE and Embase were searched from inception until September 2020 supplemented by citation tracking. Studies were included if patients had a hip arthroplasty using a posterior surgical approach with comparative data on hip movement precautions or minimal to no movement restrictions. Methodological quality was evaluated using the Downs and Black checklist.

RESULTS

From a yield of 8 studies, meta-analysis of 7 studies and 9599 total hip arthroplasties, there was low quality evidence of no increased risk of dislocation (RR = 0.98, 95%CI 0.58 to 1.67) for patients prescribed minimal or no hip movement restrictions compared with patients prescribed hip movement precautions. There were 121/5440 dislocations (2.2%) in the movement precaution group and 90/4159 dislocations in the minimally restricted group (2.2%).

CONCLUSIONS

Dislocation rates after total hip arthroplasty are low irrespective of movement precaution allocation. Resources allocated to implementing hip movement precautions may be better directed towards other clinical areas.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONThere was no difference in hip prosthesis dislocation rate between patients who received hip movement precautions compared to patients who received minimal or no restrictions after total hip arthroplasty using a posterior surgical approach.Health professionals involved in prescribing and monitoring adherence to hip movement precautions after total hip arthroplasty may be better allocating their resources to other areas of clinical care.Falls were associated with the greatest number of prosthesis dislocations, accounting for 24% of dislocations; resources may be better allocated towards evidence-based strategies to reduce falls.

Incidence and Associated Risk Factors for Falls in Older Adults Postdischarge Who Undergo Elective Total Hip Replacement Surgery—A Prospective Cohort Study

Background

Hip replacement surgery improves health-related quality of life; however, it has been suggested that falls rates increase after hospital discharge. The aim of the study was to determine the incidence and associated risk factors for falls in older adults in the 12 months after undergoing elective total hip replacement surgery.

Methods

A prospective observational cohort study was conducted. Participants were adults aged 60 years or older who underwent primary elective total hip replacement surgery in a private tertiary hospital in Perth, Australia. Baseline data collected immediately prior to discharge included use of walking aids, medications, and functional level of independence (using Katz and Lawton scales). Falls data were collected for 12 months using calendars and monthly phone calls. Data were analyzed using logistic and negative binomial regression modeling.

Results

Participants’ ([n = 167], 54.4% female) mean age was 71.2 (±6.9) years. There were 51 (31%) participants who used a walking aid prior to surgery. There were 140 falls reported over 12 months by 67 (42%) participants, of which 90 (64.3%) were injurious (n = 9 fractures). The fall rate was 2.6 per 1000 patient-days. Age (adjusted odds ratio 1.10, 95% confidence interval 1.01–1.20) and hospital length of stay (adjusted odds ratio 1.24, 95% confidence interval 1.00–1.54).were significantly associated with sustaining multiple falls.

Conclusions

More than 40% of older adults fell in the 12 months after elective hip replacement surgery although the cohort had low fall risk prior to surgery. Rehabilitation after hip replacement surgery should consider fall prevention.

Total Joint Arthroplasty Is Associated With a Decreased Risk of Traumatic Falls: An Analysis of 499,094 Cases

INTRODUCTION

The rate of traumatic falls in the aging cohort is estimated to increase across the United States. We sought to determine whether patients with lower extremity osteoarthritis (OA) who underwent total joint arthroplasty (TJA) had a reduced risk of falling compared with those with OA who did not undergo TJA.

METHODS

The New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System database was queried from 2000 to 2015 to identify 499,094 cases with primary diagnosis of hip or knee OA. Patients were stratified into 4 cohorts: group 1 (hip OA with total hip arthroplasty [THA] [N = 168,234]), group 2 (hip OA without THA [N = 22,482]), group 3 (knee OA with total knee arthroplasty [TKA] [N = 275,651]), and group 4 (knee OA without TKA [N = 32,826]). Patients were followed up longitudinally to evaluate the long-term risks of subsequent traumatic falls. Cox proportional hazards models were conducted to examine the relationship between patients' demographics and clinical characteristics and the risk of subsequent traumatic falls and reported as hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs).

RESULTS

Nineteen thousand seven hundred seventeen patients with hip OA underwent 168,234 primary THAs (88.2%), and 308,477 patients with knee OA underwent 275,651 primary TKAs (89.4%) during the period 2000 to 2015. Compared with patients without TJA, those who underwent TJA were at a decreased risk of falls (THA HR 0.56 [95% CI, 0.48 to 0.66]) and TKA HR 0.66 [95% CI, 0.57 to 0.76]). Compared with age 40 to 49 years, risk increases for ages 70 to 79 years (HR = 4.3, 95% CI: 2.8 to 6.6) and 80 years or older (HR = 5.5, 95% CI: 3.8 to 8.1).

CONCLUSION

TJA is associated with a decreased risk of long-term traumatic falls in elderly patients with the primary diagnosis of hip or knee osteoarthritis.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III Retrospective Case-control study.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Falls in Adults 1 Year After Total Hip Arthroplasty for Osteoarthritis: A Cross-Sectional Study

Total hip arthroplasty is very successful in alleviating the pain from osteoarthritis. However, deficits in lower limb strength, gait, and balance after surgery has identified this group at risk of falls. Considering the high number of people annually receiving a total hip arthroplasty, further elaboration of factors associated with falls is needed to refine fall prevention guidelines. The objective was to examine the prevalence and circumstances of falling and the risk factors associated with falling in older adults in the first year after total hip arthroplasty surgery. This was a cross-sectional study involving 108 individuals (age of 72.4 ± 6.5 yrs, 60% females) who had unilateral total hip arthroplasty. The primary outcome was falls and their circumstances during the 12 mos after the total hip arthroplasty. Twenty-five people (23.1%) had at least one fall and most falls (56%) occurred 6-12 mos after surgery. Falls resulted in minor injuries for 44% and 12% reported major injuries. The strongest independent predictor for falls was a history of a previous joint replacement with odds ratio of 7.38 (95% CI = 2.41-22.62, P < 0.001). Overall, the information highlights that falls are common after total hip arthroplasty, yet considering the older age of people having this surgery screening for falls risk should follow established guidelines.

High prevalence of outpatient falls following elective shoulder arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

This study characterized the prevalence and risk factors of inpatient and outpatient postoperative falls in patients undergoing elective shoulder arthroplasty.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review of 198 patients undergoing anatomic or reverse total shoulder arthroplasty or hemiarthroplasties at one institution between 2015 and 2017 was reviewed to determine the prevalence of inpatient and outpatient falls up to 90 days after discharge. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to assess potential risk factors for postoperative falls including demographics, indication for surgery, surgical procedure, medical history, length of hospital stay, perioperative hemoglobin, need for transfusion, and discharge disposition.

RESULTS

There were 23 falls in 22 patients within a 90-day postoperative period. The inpatient fall rate was 1.0% (2 of 198). The outpatient fall rate was 10.6% (21 of 198). Outpatient falls resulted in emergency department evaluation in 23.8% of cases (5 of 21), readmission in 19.0% (4 of 21), injury to an anatomic site other than the shoulder in 19.0% (4 of 21), and injury at the surgical site (eg, periprosthetic humeral fracture) in 4.8% (1 of 21). No significant risk factors were identified for inpatient falls. Independent risk factors for an outpatient fall were female sex (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 4.79; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.32, 17.4; P = .007), increased length of hospital stay (aOR = 1.23; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.45; P = .02), and history of a movement disorder (aOR = 7.20; 95% CI: 1.22, 42.6; P = .03).

CONCLUSION

A high outpatient fall rate of 10.6% within 90 days after discharge raises the concern that falls after shoulder arthroplasty are significantly higher than previously reported.

Falls and fear of falling in older adults with total joint arthroplasty: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Patients waiting or recovering from total joint arthroplasty (TJA) are at risk for falls which can lead to restriction of activity and negatively impact recovery. The objective of this scoping review is to critically appraise and synthesize the evidence in the reported number of falls, fear of falling, and risk factors associated with falls in older patients waiting for or recovering from TJA.

METHODS

Seven electronic databases were searched with no date limits and using language restriction (English). The inclusion criteria were 1) cohorts that included older adults 60+ years of age, 2) reported prevalence of falls, fear of falling, and/or risk factors for falls in patients who were waiting or recovering from TJA and 3) cross-sectional studies, cohort studies, and case control study designs. The quality assessment of selected articles was assessed using the SIGN Guidelines Checklist.

RESULTS

Of the 866 citations identified, 12 studies met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed. Prevalence of falls in pre-operative TJA patients and post-operative TJA patients ranged from 23 to 63%, and 13 to 42%, respectively. Of those five studies that examined fear of falling, pre-operative TJA patients reported greater fear of falling than post-operative patients. Modifiable risk factors for falls included fear of falling, joint range of motion, and depression.

CONCLUSIONS

An increased risk of falls in patients with TJA was reported both for patients waiting for and recovering from surgery. A number of modifiable risk factors were identified including fear of falling that could be targeted in fall prevention programs for TJA.

Fall-risk increasing drugs and recurrent injurious falls association in older patients after hip fracture: a cohort study protocol

Polypharmacy and fall-risk increasing drugs (FRIDS) have been associated with injurious falls. However, no information is available about the association between FRIDS and injurious falls after hospital discharge due to hip fracture in a very old population. We aim to assess the association between the use of FRIDS at discharge and injurious falls in patients older than 80 years hospitalized due to a hip fracture. A retrospective cohort study using routinely collected health data will be conducted at the Orthogeriatric Unit of a teaching hospital. Patients will be included at hospital discharge (2014), with a 2-year follow-up. Fall-risk increasing drugs will be recorded at hospital discharge, and exposure to drugs will be estimated from usage records during the 2-year follow-up. Injurious falls are defined as falls that lead to any kind of health care (primary or specialized care, including emergency department visits and hospital admissions). A sample size of 193 participants was calculated, assuming that 40% of patients who receive any FRID at discharge, and 20% who do not, will experience an injurious fall during follow up. This protocol explains the study methods and the planned analysis. We expect to find a relevant association between FRIDS at hospital discharge and the incidence of injurious falls in this very old, high risk population. If confirmed, this would support the need for a careful pharmacotherapeutic review in patients discharged after a hip fracture. However, results should be carefully interpreted due to the risk of bias inherent to the study design.

Risk factors for falls in patients with total hip arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Falls are common after total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). While previous studies have investigated various risk factors for falls in patients following THA and TKA, no systematic reviews have summarized these risk factors. Therefore, the current systematic review aimed to summarize evidence regarding risk factors for falls in patients after THA and/or TKA.

METHODS

MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, and Physiotherapy Evidence Database (from inception to June 30, 2018) were searched. The methodological quality and quality of evidence of the included studies were assessed by two independent reviewers. Relevant data regarding participants' characteristics, study design, follow-up time points, and identified risk factors were extracted. Meta-analyses and narrative syntheses were performed.

RESULTS

Twelve studies with a total of 1,292,689 participants were included. Twenty-nine identified risk factors for post-THA/TKA falls were classified into either inpatient or post-discharge risk factors. Key risk factors for both post-THA and/or post-TKA inpatient falls that showed moderate level of evidence included: postoperative complications or comorbidities and revision THA/TKA. Likewise, risk factors for post-discharge falls after THA and/or TKA that demonstrated moderate level of evidence included: medications, psychiatric diseases, living alone, prior history of TKA, falls history and female gender. The quality of the included studies varied and sample sizes were not justified.

CONCLUSIONS

This review summarized both non-modifiable and modifiable risk factors for post-THA/TKA falls. Our findings highlight the importance of developing strategies to lower the falls risk among patients following THA/TKA.

Fall-risk increasing drugs and prevalence of polypharmacy in older patients discharged from an Orthogeriatric Unit after a hip fracture

BACKGROUND

Polypharmacy and fall-risk increasing drugs (FRIDS) have been associated with injurious falls. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of polypharmacy and FRIDS in older patients discharged from an Orthogeriatric Unit after a hip fracture surgery.

METHODS

This study describes the baseline findings of a 2-year retrospective cohort study. We included patients older than 80 years discharged from an Orthogeriatric Unit who were able to walk before surgery. Patient's baseline variables, total number of drugs, and FRIDS at hospital discharge were collected.

RESULTS

We included 228 patients. The mean number of drugs and FRIDS prescribed at discharge was 11.6 ± 3.0 and 2.9 ± 1.6, respectively. Polypharmacy was prevalent in all patients except in three: 23.3% (5-9 drugs) and 75.9% (≥ 10 drugs). Only 11 patients had no FRIDS and 35.5% were on > 3 FRIDS. The most prevalent FRIDS were: agents acting on the renin-angiotensin system (43.9%) and anxiolytics (39.9%). The number of FRIDS was higher in patients with extreme polypharmacy (3.4 ± 1.5) than in those on 5-9 drugs (1.5 ± 1.0, p < 0.05). Independent people in performing instrumental activities had lower risk of extreme polypharmacy (≥ 10 drugs) or > 3 FRIDS: OR 0.39 (95% CI 0.18-0.83) and OR 0.41 (95% CI 0.20-0.84), respectively. People living in a nursing home had higher risk of > 3 FRIDS: OR 4.03 (95% CI 1.12-14.53).

CONCLUSIONS

Polypharmacy and fall-risk increasing drugs are prevalent in patients discharged from orthogeriatric care after surgery for a hip fracture. Interventions on drug use at hospital discharge could have a potential impact on falls in this high-risk population.

Is quality of life related to risk of falling, fear of falling, and functional status in patients with hip arthroplasty?

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to investigate the relation between health-related quality of life and risk of falling, fear of falling, and functional status in patients with hip arthroplasty.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, 48 hips of 45 patients who aged between 33 and 79 (53.56 ± 12.50) years and had cementless total hip arthroplasty between 2010 and 2014 were evaluated. Twenty-seven of the patients participated in the study were female (60.0%) and 18 were male (40.0%). Health-related quality of life with Nottingham Health Profile, function of the hip joint with Harris Hip Score, risk of falling with Performance-Oriented Motion Assessment I, and fear of falling with Falls Efficacy Scale were assessed. In addition, chair stand test, 40-m walk test, stair-climb test, and single leg stance test were carried out. In analysing the relationships between these parameters, Pearson correlation analysis was employed. The level of significance was considered as p < 0.05.

RESULTS

Among the cases, who were evaluated 87.10 ± 45.22 (22.43-214.71) weeks after the operation, a significant correlation was found between health-related quality of life and risk of falling, function of hip joint, and functional tests (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The evaluation of the factors related to health-related quality of life in hip arthroplasty patients may help identify patient needs and guide the rehabilitation process.

Patients 10 years after total hip arthroplasty have the deficits in functional performance, physical activity, and high fall rate compared to healthy adults

Background Long-term results in muscle strength, physical activity (PA), and functional improvement after total hip arthroplasty (THA) have not been studied. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the deficits in functional performance, PA, and high fall rate in patient 10 years after THA compared to healthy adults. Methods The subjects were 58 patients who underwent primary THA for unilateral hip osteoarthritis 10 years, and 46 healthy adults. Hip abductor strength, balance function (single-leg stance time), Maximal Walking Speed (MWS), fall rate, and PA (IPAQ short ver.) were evaluated. The unpaired t-test and χ² test were used to assess differences between the groups. Statistical significance was set at p value <0.05. Results Compared to healthy adults, THA patients had 9.5% less hip abductor muscle strength on the operated side, 42.1% shorter single-leg stance time on the operated side, 14.8% slower MWS, 2.0 times less High-PA group, and 2.8 times higher fall rate (p<0.05). Conclusion This study showed that hip abductor muscle strength, gait speed, balance function, and PA were significantly lower in patients 10 years after THA than in healthy adults. Additionally, the fall rate was significantly higher in patients 10 years post-THA than in healthy adults.

Gait Abnormality Predicts Falls in Women After Total Hip Arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

Patients who undergo total hip arthroplasty (THA) have an increased risk of falls during the first year postoperatively. However, risk factors for falls after THA remain unclear. We investigated the relationship between gait abnormality and falls during the first year after THA.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective cohort study of 286 patients with severe hip osteoarthritis who underwent THA and examined fall history during the first year postoperatively. Baseline characteristics including age, body mass index, number of prescribed medications, comorbidities, and history of falling in the past year were evaluated as covariates and determined using a self-administered questionnaire and interview preoperatively. We assessed functional outcomes, including passive range of motion of the hip joint (flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction), muscle strength (hip abduction and knee extension), gait velocity, and gait abnormality, at 3 weeks postoperatively. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to analyze the relationship between the presence of gait abnormality and falls.

RESULTS

One hundred sixty-two women were included. The incidence of at least 1 fall during the first year after THA was 31.5%. Cox proportional hazard regression models showed that the presence of gait abnormality (hazard ratio, 2.91; 95% confidence interval, 1.55-5.48; P < .001) was significantly associated with falls during the first year postoperatively.

CONCLUSION

The presence of gait abnormality is a useful screening tool to predict future falls in women after THA. Clinicians should assess gait abnormality to identify patients who may require fall prevention measures and continuous rehabilitation to improve gait abnormality.

Review of perioperative falls

Falls are a known public health problem, and there is increasing recognition of the importance of perioperative falls for risk prediction and quality assessment. Our objective was to review existing literature regarding the occurrence, injuries, and risk factors of preoperative and postoperative falls. A systematized search of PubMed entries between 1947 and November 2015 produced 24 articles that met inclusion criteria. Most studied orthopaedic surgery patients older than 65 yr. Four were rated 'good' quality. Interrater reliability for the quality assessment was moderate (κ = 0.77). In the 3-12 months before surgery, the proportion of preoperative patients who fell ranged from 24 to 48%. Injuries were common (70%). The rate of postoperative falls ranged from 0.8 to 16.3 per 1000 person-days, with a gradual decline in the months after surgery. Injuries from postoperative falls occurred in 10-70% of fallers, and 5-20% experienced a severe injury. Risk factors were not well studied. Prospective studies reported a higher percentage of falls and fall-related injuries than retrospective studies, suggesting that there may be underdetection of falls and injuries with retrospective studies. Perioperative falls were more common than falls reported in the general community, even up to 12 months after surgery. Surgery-related falls may therefore occur beyond the hospitalization period. Future studies should use a prospective design, validated definitions, and broader populations to study perioperative falls. In particular, investigations of risk factors and follow-up after hospitalization are needed.

REGISTRY NUMBER

PROSPERO registration number CRD42015029971.

Quality of life, effects on Asian Lifestyle, and perceived satisfaction after total hip arthroplasty in Japan and Korea

BACKGROUND

The Asian lifestyle requires deep hip flexion, which increases the risk of dislocation. Hence, Asian total hip arthroplasty (THA) patients may have problems postoperatively. This study aimed to 1) document quality of life (QoL), Asian lifestyle-related items (five postures that require deep hip flexion), and perceived satisfaction in patients who underwent THA in Japan versus Korea, 2) assess the differences in QoL and Asian lifestyle-related items by patient lifestyle, and 3) identify the factors predicting QoL.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 222 THA patients. Korean patients completed the questionnaires. Japanese patients were then matched with Korean patients by age, sex, and post-THA period. Assessed parameters included QoL measured by the EuroQoL, Oxford hip score (OHS), Asian lifestyle (measured by the Asian lifestyle-related items), and perceived satisfaction (measured by the five items of postoperative satisfaction). Multiple regression analysis was used to determine the predictors of QoL.

RESULTS

Compared with Korean patients, Japanese patients had better QoL, but more difficulty performing postures requiring deep hip flexion. Greater QoL was associated with greater satisfaction. The predictors of decreased QoL after THA were lower OHS in both countries, worse squatting ability in Japan, and worse leg-crossing ability in Korea.

CONCLUSIONS

In Japan and Korea, the OHS is an important predictor of QoL after THA.

Incidence and Circumstances of Falls in Women Before and After Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Prospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

We investigated the incidence and circumstances related to falls in patients before and after total hip arthroplasty (THA), and compared them with those in an age-matched control group.

METHODS

This is a prospective cohort study. A total of 140 women with severe hip osteoarthritis (OA) who underwent THA (OA group) and a control cohort of 319 age-matched healthy women were analyzed. We investigated the incidence and circumstances of falls before THA and during the first year after surgery. We assessed the Harris Hip Score and investigated hip pain and ambulatory ability using a self-administered questionnaire.

RESULTS

The incidence of at least one fall during the first year after THA in the OA group (30.0%) was significantly higher than that in the control group (13.5%) (P < .001), as were the rates of indoor falls (50.0%) and falls during daytime (66.2%). Although the incidence of fall-induced injuries after THA (37.8%) was significantly lower than that in the control group (62.5%), 5.9% of patients who experienced a fall developed a fracture. No significant differences were found in the number and circumstances of falls before and after THA, with 31.4% and 30.0% of the OA group reporting at least one fall in the 12 months before and after surgery, respectively. Self-reported pain, ambulation, and Harris Hip Score significantly improved after THA.

CONCLUSION

Women undergoing THA have an increased risk of falls during the first year after surgery. Clinicians should suggest preventive measures during rehabilitation to prevent falling in post-THA women.

Fear of Falling Restricts Activities of Daily Living after Total Hip Arthroplasty: A One-Year Longitudinal Study

OBJECTIVES

To determine the prevalence and time course in changes regarding the fear of falling and whether there are consequent restrictions in activities of daily living (ADL) after total hip arthroplasty (THA).

METHODS

This is 1-year longitudinal observational study. We recruited ninety-eight patients before and after THA. Fear of falling was assessed for 12 ADLs preoperatively and postoperatively at 3, 6, and 12 months following THA. In addition, we asked patients to answer whether they had refrained from performing each ADL because of fear of falling.

RESULTS

Fifty-two patients were enrolled for the analysis. The total fear of falling score during ADLs decreased with time after THA. The ADLs in which many patients (over 20%) felt fear even at 12 months were using the stairs (25%), sitting and standing from the floor (23%), and walking around the neighborhood (21%). Approximately 10% of patients were restricted in performing ADLs, such as sitting and standing from the floor, because of fear.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients undergoing THA frequently experience fear of falling during some ADLs even at 1 year after the operation, which could cause ADL restrictions.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Clinicians should evaluate fear of falling and institute rehabilitation programs individually to decrease excessive fear that might lead to ADL restrictions.

A Review on Bone Mineral Density Loss in Total Knee Replacements Leading to Increased Fracture Risk

The link between low bone mineral density (BMD) scores leading to greater fracture risk is well established in the literature; what is not fully understood is the impact of total knee replacements/revisions or arthroplasties on BMD levels. This literature review attempts to answer this question. Several different databases using specific key terms were searched, with additional papers retrieved via bibliographic review. Based on the available evidence, total knee replacements/revisions and arthroplasties lower BMD and thus increase fracture risk. This review also addresses the possible implications of this research and possible options to reduce this risk.

Rehabilitation of revision total hip replacement: A multi-centre survey of current practice

BACKGROUND

Demand for revision total hip replacement (RTHR) is increasing. Outcomes after RTHR are varied, with reasonable pain relief but smaller gains in function and mobility. Whether sub-optimal rehabilitation contributes to poorer functional outcomes is unclear. Current rehabilitation is not well defined and there is little research into RTHR rehabilitation.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To gather information about the current rehabilitation of patients undergoing planned, single-stage revision or re-revision THR surgery.

METHODS

An online survey was developed and sent to clinicians at 117 orthopaedic centres in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Questions were asked about standard rehabilitation practice pre-operatively, post-operatively and immediately after discharge. The frequency (%) of responses to closed questions was analysed and free-text comments were summarized thematically.

RESULTS

There were 133 respondents: mostly physiotherapists (92, 69%) and occupational therapists (39, 29%). Pre-operative education was common (112, 84%) but not uniform, and for 52 (46%) the same as for primary THR patients. Respondents were more likely to agree about the general objectives of rehabilitation, for example gait re-education with walking aids (93, 70%), and retraining functional mobility (92, 69%) rather than about specific elements including exercise prescription, duration of hip precautions and provision of occupational therapy. The provision of rehabilitation following discharge varied considerably.

CONCLUSIONS

This survey adds to sparse information about rehabilitation RTHR. No consensus emerged about optimal rehabilitation. The diversity in approach and lack of clear structure suggests work is needed to develop rehabilitation interventions that are tailored to this population.

Incidence, risk factors and the healthcare cost of falls postdischarge after elective total hip and total knee replacement surgery: protocol for a prospective observational cohort study

INTRODUCTION

The number of major joint replacement procedures continues to increase in Australia. The primary aim of this study is to determine the incidence of falls in the first 12 months after discharge from hospital in a cohort of older patients who undergo elective total hip or total knee replacement.

METHODS AND ANALYSES

A prospective longitudinal observational cohort study starting in July 2015, enrolling patients aged ≥60 years who are admitted for elective major joint replacement (n=267 total hip replacement, n=267 total knee replacement) and are to be discharged to the community. Participants are followed up for 12 months after hospital discharge. The primary outcome measure is the rate of falls per thousand patient-days. Falls data will be collected by 2 methods: issuing a falls diary to each participant and telephoning participants monthly after discharge. Secondary outcomes include the rate of injurious falls and health-related quality of life. Patient-rated outcomes will be measured using the Oxford Hip or Oxford Knee score. Generalised linear mixed modelling will be used to examine the falls outcomes in the 12 months after discharge and to examine patient and clinical characteristics predictive of falls. An economic evaluation will be conducted to describe the nature of healthcare costs in the first 12 months after elective joint replacement and estimate costs directly attributable to fall events.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The results will be disseminated through local site networks and will inform future services to support older people undergoing hip or knee joint replacement and also through peer-reviewed publications and medical conferences. This study has been approved by The University of Notre Dame Australia and local hospital human research ethics committees.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ACTRN12615000653561; Pre-results.

Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Have Increased Risk of Short-term Adverse Events after Total Hip Arthroplasty

Objective.

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is performed more frequently in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) than in the general population. However, whether patients with SLE have higher complication rates than patients with osteoarthritis (OA) is unknown. This study compares adverse events (AE) in SLE with OA controls.

Methods.

Patients in our institution’s registry were eligible. SLE was identified by the International Classification of Diseases, 9th ed code. AE were identified by chart review and questionnaire. Patients with SLE were matched with OA controls. Multivariate regression was performed to identify independent predictors of AE.

Results.

Fifty-eight patients with SLE THA were matched with 116 OA controls. Of the patients with SLE, 47.4% had Charlson-Deyo comorbidity scores (excluding SLE) > 1 versus 13.1% of OA (p < 0.0001). Length of stay was longer for SLE (6.0 days vs 4.7 days, p = 0.0008). Patients with SLE had more falls (10.3% vs 1.7%, p = 0.017), deep vein thrombosis (5.2% vs 0%, p = 0.036), acute renal disease (8.6% vs 0%, p = 0.004), wound infections (6.9% vs 0.9%, p = 0.043), and revision surgeries (5.2% vs 0%, p = 0.036). In a logistic regression controlling for comorbidities, SLE had an increased risk of AE (OR 3.77, 95% CI 1.74–8.16). Comorbidity scores were not significantly associated with AE. Among those with SLE, there were no significant differences in AE in those taking corticosteroids.

Conclusion.

SLE is an independent risk factor for AE after THA. Patients with SLE had higher rates of falls, acute renal disease, infections, and revision surgeries than matched OA controls. Further research is needed to understand the causes of increased AE in patients with SLE.

Are people following hip and knee arthroplasty at greater risk of experiencing a fall and fracture? Data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative

INTRODUCTION

Falls are a major challenge for older people and are a significant source of mortality and morbidity. There has been uncertainty as to whether people with total hip (THA) or knee (TKA) arthroplasty have a greater risk of falls and associated fractures. This analysis was to explore this question with a large community dataset.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data from all people enroled onto the US Osteoarthritis Initiative programme who had undergone a THA (n = 104) or TKA (n = 165), within a 12-month period, were compared to those who had not undergone an arthroplasty (n = 4631). Data were collected on: the number of participants who reported a fall within a 12-month period; the frequency of falls in this period; and whether a fracture was sustained during this period. Odd ratios were calculated for the probability of experiencing a fall or fracture between the groups.

RESULTS

There was no statistical difference in falls between people following THA (OR 0.90; 95 % CI 0.58-1.41) or TKA (OR 0.95; 0.67-1.35) compared to a non-arthroplasty cohort. Whilst there was no statistical difference in fracture risk between people following TKA compared to non-arthroplasty individuals (OR 1.25; 95 % CI 0.57-2.70), those who underwent THA had a 65 % lower chance of experiencing a fracture in the initial 12 post-operative months compared to the non-THA cohort (OR 0.35; 95 % CI 0.19-0.65; p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

There appears a lower chance of experiencing a fracture for people following THA compared to those who have not.

Incidence and characteristic analysis of in-hospital falls after anesthesia

Background

In-hospital falls may result in serious clinical adverse consequences, but the effects of anesthesia in the occurrence of postoperative falls are still undetermined. Anesthesia may theoretically cause postoperative falls due to the residual pharmacologic and neuromuscular blocking effects of anesthetics. We retrospectively reviewed events of in-hospital falls occurred after anesthesia management to identify the incidence and risk factors of postanesthesia falls.

Methods

We reviewed the postanesthesia visit of patients received anesthesia in the Hualien Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital from January 2009 to December 2013. Falls happened within 24 h after anesthesia were recorded. The Poisson regression model was used for simultaneous analysis of the association between incidence proportion of postanesthesia falls and the potential risk factors.

Results

A total of 60,796 inpatients received anesthesia management over the past 5 years, and ten patients fell within 24 h after anesthesia. All cases happened in the general wards. Falls occurred more often at the bedside, presence of caregivers, and during the daytime. Patients underwent regional anesthesia, and old age significantly increased the risk of postanesthesia falls, while differences in gender and ASA physical status did not affect the occurrence of postanesthesia falls.

Conclusions

The overall incidence proportion of postanesthesia falls is 1.6 cases per 10,000 patients (95 % CI 0.006 to 0.026 %) over a 24-h observation period. Falls are more commonly happened during the less expected periods after operation and are increased in the elderly and patients received regional anesthesia. This study highlights that more comprehensive clinical practice guidelines for postoperative care should be exercised to prevent the in-hospital falls.