Preoperative Veterans Rand-12 Mental Composite Score of < 40 Leads to Increased Healthcare Utilization and Diminished Improvement After Primary Knee Arthroplasty

Utilization of Total Knee Arthroplasty in the United States by Settlement Type: Is There Equity of Access?

INTRODUCTION

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is one of the most commonly performed orthopaedic surgeries in the United States, yet little information exists regarding its utilization in different settlement types. This study aimed to determine the number of TKA-performing surgeons by settlement type and assess trends in the volume of TKAs in urban, micropolitan, small town, and rural settings.

METHODS

Using the Medicare Provider Utilization and Payment Data: Physician and Other Practitioners database, the number of orthopaedic surgeons performing primary and revision TKAs from 2013 to 2020 was determined. The zip code where TKA was performed was used to identify the rural-urban commuting area codes (RUCA) and classify locations into one of four settlement types: urban/metropolitan, micropolitan (large town), small town, or rural. Correlations in surgeon number and TKA volume by settlement type were evaluated by Mann-Kendall tests.

RESULTS

Between the years of 2013 and 2020, TKAs were billed by up to 7,192 orthopaedic surgeons. The proportions of TKAs occurring in settlement types were the following: urban/metropolitan, 85.2%; micropolitan, 11.5%; small town, 2.6%; rural, 0.6%. Areas without RUCA data had 32.9 TKAs per surgeon per year, the highest overall median surgeries per year over the 8-year period. The median number of TKAs per surgeon per year was 28, 25.4, 21.4, and 20.7 for urban/metropolitan, micropolitan, small towns, and rural areas, respectively.

CONCLUSION

A considerable difference exists in both the number of surgeons and the proportion of TKAs conducted across various settlement types. Twenty percent of population in the United States lives in rural areas; however, only 0.6% of billed TKAs occurred in these areas over the study period, indicating a gap in orthopaedic care access. It is imperative to understand TKA surgeon distribution and focus on strategies aimed at attracting and retaining proficient surgeons to address the healthcare needs of these underserved regions.

A threshold of lower preoperative mental health is associated with decreased achievement of comfort and capability benchmarks following rotator cuff repair: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Preoperative biomedical patient characteristics are known to affect the time to achievement of clinically significant outcomes (CSOs) following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (RCR). However, less is known about the association between preoperative mental status and the time to achievement of CSOs. We hypothesize that higher preoperative mental status is associated with faster achievement of CSOs following arthroscopic RCR.

METHODS

Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were collected preoperatively and at postoperative intervals up to 2 years. PROMs included pain visual analog scale (VAS), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Standardized Shoulder Assessment Form (ASES), Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE), and Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey (VR-12) scores. Threshold values for CSOs were obtained from previous literature. Mean time to achievement of CSOs was calculated using a Kaplan-Meier analysis. A Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was performed to identify preoperative variables associated with earlier achievement of CSOs.

RESULTS

Sixty-nine patients with an average age of 59 ± 8 years were included. Patients with higher preoperative mental status, as measured by VR-12 mental component summary (MCS), experienced significantly earlier substantial pain improvement postoperatively (P = .0471). Patients with higher preoperative mental status also achieved CSOs for physical health at earlier time points (P = .0187). Preoperative VR-12 MCS scores ≥ 40 were associated with earlier achievement of CSOs for pain (P = .0005) and physical health (P = .0015). Ninety-eight percent of patients with preoperative MCS scores ≥40 achieved acceptable pain relief at 4.5 months vs. 56% of all other patients at 12.3 months (P = .0001). Patients with preoperative MCS scores ≥40 experienced significantly faster improvement in physical health compared to patients with preoperative MCS scores <40 (P = .0006).

CONCLUSIONS

Higher preoperative mental status, especially a preoperative MCS score ≥40, is associated with significantly faster improvement in pain and physical function following arthroscopic RCR. Nearly all patients (98%) with preoperative MCS score ≥40 achieved an acceptable state of pain relief compared with only 56% of patients with preoperative MCS score <40. These findings indicate that a holistic approach with equal consideration of preoperative mental health and rotator cuff pathophysiology is vital to the successful management of rotator cuff tendinopathy.

Preoperative veterans RAND-12 mental composite score of < 35 is associated with increased length of stay and high rates of discharge to rehab after primary total joint arthroplasty

PURPOSE

The association between preoperative mental health and immediate postoperative ambulation in primary Total Joint Arthroplasty (TJA) has sparsely been studied. Thus, this study's objective was to investigate the association between mental health (measured by the Mental Component Score (MCS) from the Veterans RAND 12 (VR-12)) and peri-operative metrics.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study of patients who underwent primary TJA and completed a VR-12 questionnaire between January 2018 and June 2023 at a single academic hospital. Patients were stratified into terciles based on preoperative MCS. Patient demographics, ambulation within 4 h postop, LOS, and discharge location were compared. The effect of MCS on LOS while controlling discharge location was assessed using negative binomial regression.

RESULTS

1120 patients were included in this analysis (432 THA and 688 TKA). After stratification into terciles (Low: 34.7 ± 6.6, Middle: 49.3 ± 3.7, High:62.1 ± 4.4), comparison of demographics revealed significant differences in age (p = 0.005) and sex distribution (p = 0.04) but no difference in surgery type (p = 0.857). There was no significant difference in ambulation rate between MCS groups (p = 0.789) or in distance covered during first ambulation (p = 0.251). Low MCS patients had a longer LOS (p = 0.000, p = 0.002) and a lower rate of discharged home (p = 0.016). After controlling discharge location, no significant association was found between MCS and LOS (p = 0.288).

CONCLUSION

Patient with low MCS tended to be younger, women, and had poorer preoperative HOOS/KOOS scores. Low MCS was associated with longer LOS and lower rates of discharge home. However, MCS was not associated with early ambulation rate and LOS after controlling discharge location.

How to Raise the Bar in the Capture of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Total Joint Arthroplasty: Results from Active and Passive Follow-up Measures

BACKGROUND

With the upcoming U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 2027 policy for mandatory reporting of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) for total hip or knee arthroplasty (THA or TKA), it is important to evaluate the resources required to achieve adequate PROM collection and reporting at a clinically relevant rate of follow-up. This study aimed to (1) determine follow-up rates for 1-year PROMs when the follow-up was conducted with active methods (attempted contact by staff) and passive (automated) methods, and (2) evaluate factors associated with higher odds of requiring active follow-up or being lost to follow-up following THA or TKA.

METHODS

A prospective cohort of patients undergoing primary elective THA (n = 7,436) or TKA (n = 10,119) between January 2016 and December 2020 at a single institution were included. The primary outcome was the response rate achieved with active and passive follow-up methods at our institution. Patient characteristics, health-care utilization parameters, PROM values, and patient satisfaction were compared between follow-up methods.

RESULTS

Passive and active measures were successful for 38% (2,859) and 40% (3,004) of the THA cohort, respectively, while 21% (1,573) were lost to follow-up. Similarly, passive and active measures were successful for 40% (4,001) and 41% (4,161) of the TKA cohort, respectively, while 20% (2,037) were lost to follow-up. Younger age, male sex, Black or another non-White race, fewer years of education, smoking, Medicare or Medicaid insurance, and specific baseline PROM phenotypes (i.e., with scores in the lower half for pain, function, and/or mental health) were associated with loss to follow-up. Older age, male sex, Black race, and a residence with a higher Area Deprivation Index were associated with requiring active follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

One of 5 patients were lost to follow-up despite active and passive measures following THA or TKA. These patients were more likely to be younger, be male, be of Black or another non-White race, have fewer years of education, be a smoker, have Medicaid insurance, and have specific baseline PROM phenotypes. Innovative strategies aimed at targeting individuals with these baseline characteristics may help raise the bar and increase follow-up while mitigating costs after total joint arthroplasty.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic Level II . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Prognostic value in preoperative Veterans RAND-12 mental Component score on clinical outcomes for patients undergoing minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion

No study has examined the prognostic value of the Veterans RAND-12 (VR-12) Mental Component Score (MCS) on postoperative outcomes in minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) patients. This study examines the effect of preoperative VR-12 MCS on postoperative patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in MIS-TLIF patients. Patients were separated into 2 cohorts: VR-12 MCS < 50 and VR-12 MCS ≥ 50. PROMs of VR-12 MCS/Physical Component Score (PCS), Short Form-12 (SF-12) MCS/PCS, Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-Physical Function (PROMIS-PF), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Visual Analog Scale (VAS) Back/Leg Pain (VAS-BP/LP), and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were collected.Of 329 patients, 151 were in the VR-12 MCS < 50 cohort. The VR-12 MCS < 50 cohort reported significantly inferior scores in all PROMs preoperatively, significantly inferior VR-12 MCS, SF-12 MCS, PROMIS-PF, PHQ-9, and ODI scores at 6-weeks postoperatively, and significantly inferior scores in all PROMs, except for VAS-BP at final follow-up. Magnitude of 6-week postoperative improvement was significantly greater in the VR-12 MCS < 50 cohort for VR-12 MCS, SF-12 MCS, and PHQ-9. Magnitude of final postoperative improvement was significantly greater in the VR-12 MCS < 50 cohort for VR-12 MCS, SF-12 MCS/PCS, and PHQ-9. MCID achievement rates were significantly greater in the VR-12 MCS < 50 cohort for VR-12 MCS, SF-12 MCS, and PHQ-9. MIS-TLIF patients with lesser preoperative VR-12 MCS reported inferior postoperative outcomes in mental health, physical function, pain, and disability. However, patients with inferior preoperative mental health reported greater rates of clinically meaningful improvement in mental health. Inferior preoperative mental health does not limit postoperative improvement in patients undergoing MIS-TLIF.

Effect of Baseline Veterans RAND-12 Mental Composite Score on Postoperative Patient-Reported Outcome Measures for Cervical Disk Replacement

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective review.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the effect of baseline Veterans RAND-12 (VR-12) Mental Composite Score (MCS) on clinical outcomes in patients undergoing cervical disk replacement (CDR) for herniated disk.

BACKGROUND

Few studies in spine surgery have evaluated the impact of preoperative VR-12 MCS on postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing CDR.

METHODS

Patients undergoing CDR for herniated disk were separated into 2 cohorts based on the VR-12 MCS standardized mean: VR-12 MCS<50 (worse mental health) and VR-12 MCS≥50 (better mental health). Patient-reported outcome measures of VR-12 MCS, VR-12 Physical Composite Score, Short Form-12 (SF-12) MCS, SF-12 Physical Composite Score, Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Visual Analog Scale (VAS) Neck Pain, VAS Arm Pain, and Neck Disability Index were collected at preoperative and up to 2-year postoperative time points.

RESULTS

In all, 109 patients were identified, with 50 patients in the worse mental health cohort. The worse mental health cohort reported inferior patient-reported outcome measures in all domains at preoperative, 6-week postoperative, and final postoperative time points. For 6-week postoperative improvement, the worse mental health cohort reported greater improvement for VR-12 MCS, SF-12 MCS, and PHQ-9. For final postoperative improvement, the worse mental health cohort reported greater improvement in VR-12 MCS and SF-12 MCS. Minimum clinically important difference achievement rates were higher in the worse mental health cohort for VR-12 MCS, SF-12 MCS, and PHQ-9.

CONCLUSION

Patients undergoing cervical disk replacement for herniated disk with worse baseline mental health reported inferior clinical outcomes in mental health, physical function, pain, and disability outcomes throughout the postoperative period. Patients with worse baseline mental health demonstrated greater clinically meaningful improvement in mental health. In cervical disk replacement patients, those with worse baseline mental health may report inferior postoperative clinical outcomes but experience greater rates of tangible improvement in mental health.

Prognostic Value in Preoperative Veterans RAND-12 Mental Component Score on Clinical Outcomes for Patients Undergoing Minimally Invasive Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of Veterans RAND 12-item health survey mental composite score (VR-12 MCS) on postoperative patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) after undergoing lateral lumbar interbody fusion.

METHODS

Retrospective data from a single-surgeon database created 2 cohorts: patients with VR-12 MCS ≥ 50 or VR-12 MCS < 50. Preoperative, 6-week, and final follow-up (FF)- PROMs including VR-12 MCS/physical composite score (PCS), 12-item Short Form health survey (SF-12) MCS/PCS, Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function (PROMIS-PF), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), visual analogue scale (VAS)-back/leg pain (VAS-BP/LP), and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were collected. ∆6-week and ∆FF-PROMs were calculated. Minimal clinically important difference (MCID) achievement rates were determined from established cutoffs from the literature. For intercohort comparison, chi-square analysis was used for categorical variables, and Student t-test for continuous variables.

RESULTS

Seventy-nine patients were included; 25 were in VR-12 MCS < 50. Mean postoperative follow-up time was 17.12 ± 8.43 months. The VR-12 MCS < 50 cohort had worse VR-12 PCS, SF-12 MCS, PROMIS-PF, PHQ-9, VAS-BP, and ODI scores preoperatively (p ≤ 0.014, all), worse VR-12 MCS/PCS, SF-12 MCS, PROMIS-PF, PHQ-9, and ODI scores at 6-week postoperatively (p ≤ 0.039, all), and worse VR-12 MCS, SF-12 MCS, PROMIS-PF, PHQ-9, VAS-BP, VAS-LP, and ODI scores at FF (p ≤ 0.046, all). The VR-12 MCS < 50 cohort showed greater improvement in VR-12 MCS and SF-12 MCS scores at 6 weeks and FF (p ≤ 0.005, all). The VR-12 MCS < 50 cohort experienced greater MCID achievement for VR-12 MCS, SF-12 MCS, and PHQ-9 (p ≤ 0.006, all).

CONCLUSION

VR-12 MCS < 50 yielded worse mental health, physical function, pain and disability postoperatively, yet reported greater improvements in magnitude and MCID achievement for mental health.

Patient-Reported Outcomes following Total Knee Replacement in Patients Aged 65 Years and Over-A Systematic Review

A previous systematic review showed positive patient-reported outcomes following total knee replacement (TKR) in patients aged < 65 years. However, the question remains as to whether these results are replicated for older individuals. This systematic review evaluated the patient-reported outcomes following TKR in individuals aged ≥ 65 years. A systematic search of Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane library were performed to identify studies examining disease-specific or health-related quality of life outcomes following TKR. Qualitative evidence synthesis was performed. Eighteen studies with low (n = 1), moderate (n = 6), or serious (n = 11) overall risk of bias were included, with evidence syntheses derived from 20,826 patients. Four studies reported on pain scales, showing improvement of pain from 6 months to 10 years postoperatively. Nine studies examined functional outcomes, showing significant improvements from 6 months to 10 years after TKR. Improvement in health-related quality of life was evident in six studies over 6 months to 2 years. All four studies examining satisfaction reported overall satisfaction with TKR results. TKR results in reduced pain, improved function, and increased quality of life for individuals aged ≥ 65 years. The improvement in patient-reported outcomes needs to be utilised in conjunction with physician expertise to determine what would comprise clinically significant differences.

Team Approach: Management of Mental Health in Orthopaedic Patients

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Mental health evaluation should be considered an essential part of the routine preoperative assessment and should be managed by a multidisciplinary team composed of the primary care physician, orthopaedic provider, and behavioral health specialist.

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The scientific literature indicates that patients without comorbid psychiatric symptoms and adaptive coping strategies, resilience, and well-managed expectations have improved functional outcomes and satisfaction after orthopaedic procedures.

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Psychological issues are multifaceted and require treatment tailored to each individual patient. Therefore, close communication between all members of the care team is required to create and execute the perioperative plan.