Non-surgical treatment of hip osteoarthritis. Hip school, with or without the addition of manual therapy, in comparison to a minimal control intervention: protocol for a three-armed randomized clinical trial

An Exploration of Physical Therapy Outcomes and Psychometric Properties of the Patient-Specific Functional Scale After an Interdisciplinary Pain Management Program

OBJECTIVES

The Patient-Specific Functional Scale (PSFS) has been used to assess physical functioning in various chronic pain populations. There is a lack of evidence for its use with diverse pain populations who have high-impact chronic pain (HICP). The primary aim of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of the PSFS with a heterogeneous sample of patients with HICP.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective observational study of prospective functional outcomes collected before and after participation in an intensive pain management program: PSFS, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand, Lower Extremity Functional Scale, Neck Disability Index, Oswestry Disability Index, multidimensional patient impression of change, pain intensity, pain limitation, and fear-avoidance from the charts of 509 intensive pain management program completers. The reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the PSFS were analyzed using Cronbach α, Pearson correlations, and receiver operating characteristics.

RESULTS

Statistically significant improvements were found for all outcomes after program participation (all P < 0.0001). Correlations of the PSFS with similar outcomes (convergent validity) were lower than expected ( r = 0.16 to 0.33). A low correlation ( r = -0.12) with an unrelated measure, fear avoidance, supported divergent validity. PSFS change score correlations with similar outcome measures ranged from 0.46 to 0.53. The area under the curve values for the PSFS ranged from 0.801 to 0.857, suggesting a moderate ability for the PSFS to detect improvement.

DISCUSSION

The psychometric properties of the PSFS showed mixed support for construct validity but good support for the responsiveness of the PSFS when used with a heterogeneous sample of patients with HICP.

Highlighting the Benefits of Rehabilitation Treatments in Hip Osteoarthritis

Background and objectives: Due to its frequency and possible complications, hip arthrosis or hip osteoarthritis (hip OA) has a high social impact, its advanced stages eventually leading to irreversible lesions involving major complications or surgery. In the early stages, conservative treatment plays a key role in the prophylaxis of complications and in slowing down the degenerative process. The association between an appropriate drug therapy (DT) and a rehabilitation treatment (RT)—including individualized physical therapy (PT) and adapted occupational therapy (OT)—provides good results. Our objective was to highlight the benefits of associating RT with DT in patients with hip OA. Materials and Methods: An observational follow-up study was conducted between 2018−2021, which included 100 patients with hip OA divided into two groups: the study group—group A (50 subjects who complied with RT) and the control group—group B (who did not comply with RT). To evaluate them, the evolution of the Lequesne hip index (LHI), Tinetti test (TT) and the hip joint mobility: flexion (FH) and abduction (AH) were monitored before the beginning of the study (T0) and after one-year (T1) for each patient. The mean values of the parameters, the standard deviations, the frequency intervals, as well as the tests of statistical significance were calculated using the Student method (t-test) and χ2, ANOVA (Bonferroni) being used to compare the means. Results: Compared to the evolution of group B, improvements were observed in group A, as follows: in LHI group A (p = 0.023) vs. group B (p = 0.650); in TT group A (p = 0.011) vs. group B (p < 0.001); in FH group A (p = 0.001) vs. group B (p = 0.025); in AH group A (p = 0.001) vs. group B (p < 0.001). BMI changes were non-significant in both groups A (p = 0.223) and B (p = 0.513). Evaluating group A, the most significant improvements of the studied parameters were observed in the age group 41−50 years. Conclusions: The study reveals the benefits of combining RT with DT in patients with especially early-stage hip OA, aged up to 50 years old.

Pain distribution in primary care patients with hip osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND

Hip osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common diagnosis in primary care adult patients presenting with hip pain but pain location and pain distribution in primary care patients with hip OA have been reported inadequately.

OBJECTIVE

To describe pain location and pain distribution in primary care patients with clinical and radiographic confirmed hip OA.

METHODS

Primary care patients with unilateral clinical and radiographic hip OA living on the island of Funen, Denmark were recruited from primary care to participate in a randomized clinical trial. At baseline, patients recorded pain intensity using an 11-box numeric rating scale and the distribution of hip pain using a manikin displaying three separate views: front, back and lateral. Pain drawings were analysed using a template to determine the most frequent pain locations and distribution of pain.

RESULTS

Pain drawings were completed by 109 patients of which 108 (99%) were valid. The mean age of patients was 65 (SD 9) years and 44% were females. The mean pain intensity was 5.4 (SD 2.0). A total of 77% had marked the greater trochanter area, 53% the groin area, 42% the anterior/lateral thigh area, 38% the buttock area, 17% the knee and 15% the lower leg area. No patients marked pain exclusively in the areas of the knee, posterior thigh or lower leg.

CONCLUSION

The most common pain locations of patients with hip OA presenting to primary care are the greater trochanter, groin, thigh and buttock areas. No patients recorded pain exclusively in the knee or lower leg.

A phase II trial for the efficacy of physiotherapy intervention for early-onset hip osteoarthritis: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Background

Early-onset hip osteoarthritis is commonly seen in people undergoing hip arthroscopy and is associated with increased pain, reduced ability to participate in physical activity, reduced quality of life and reduced range of motion and muscle strength. Despite this, the efficacy of non-surgical interventions such as exercise therapies remains unknown. The primary aim is to establish the feasibility of a phase III randomised controlled trial investigating a targeted physiotherapy intervention for people with early-onset hip osteoarthritis. The secondary aims are to determine the size of treatment effects of a physiotherapy intervention, targeted to improve hip joint range and hip-related symptoms in early-onset hip osteoarthritis following hip arthroscopy, compared to a health-education control.

Methods

This protocol describes a randomised, assessor- and participant-blind, controlled clinical trial. We will include 20 participants who are (i) aged between 18 and 50 years; (ii) have undergone hip arthroscopy during the past six to 12 months; (iii) have early-onset hip osteoarthritis (defined as chondrolabral pathology) at the time of hip arthroscopy; and (iv) experience hip-related pain during activities. Primary outcome will be the feasibility of a phase III clinical trial. Secondary outcomes will be (i) perceived global change score; (ii) hip-related symptoms (measured using the Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS) pain subscale, activity subscale, and sport and recreation subscale); (iii) hip quality of life (measured using the HOOS quality of life subscale and International Hip Outcome tool; (iv) hip muscle strength and (v) hip range of motion. The physiotherapy intervention is semi-standardised, including joint and soft tissue mobilisation and stretching, hip and trunk muscle retraining and functional and activity-specific retraining and education. The control intervention encompasses individualised health education, with the same frequency and duration as the intervention. The trial primary end-point is the conclusion of the 12-week intervention, and follow-up measures will be collected at the 12-week post-baseline assessment.

Discussion

The findings of this study will provide guidance regarding the feasibility of a full-scale phase III randomised controlled trial, prior to its undertaking.

Trial registration

The trial protocol was registered with the Australian Clinical Trials Registry (number: 12614000426684) on 17 April 2014.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13063-014-0543-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Epidemiological investigation of osteoarthritis in middle-aged mongolian and senior residents of the inner mongolia autonomous region

Background

To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of osteoarthritis (OA) in Mongolian middle-aged and senior residents of the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, compared with the prevalence of OA in different regions, to understand the OA-associated factors and provide theoretical evidences for intervention and prevention.

Objectives

Thereby the prevalence, distribution characteristics and correlative factors of OA in Mongolian middle-aged and senior residents in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region were investigated in this study.

Materials and Methods

Rural and urban residents in Hohhot, Baotou and Erdos were selected using stratified, multi-stage and cluster random sampling. 2000 residents aging over 45 filled out questionnaires, underwent specialized physical and X-ray examinations. The factors affecting OA were analyzed by the multivariate unconditional logistic regression.

Results

Obtained total of 1877 questionnaires were completed. 93% of the residents were unaware of OA-related issues. The prevalence of radiological OA and clinical OA (neck OA: 36.72%; waist OA: 44.02%; knee OA: 12.43%; hand OA: 6.83%) were 62.17% and 56.15%, respectively. Urban residents were more subjected to cervical spine (χ² = 8.92, P = 0.005) and less to lumbar spine disease (χ² = 10.32, P = 0.004) compared to rural ones. The prevalence of OA in knees and hands of females (χ² = 8.65, P = 0.003) was significantly higher than males (χ²=4.37, P=0.042). The prevalence of OA in postmenopausal females was slightly higher than males (χ² = 3.86, P = 0.052), with no statically significant difference. The risks of OA obviously increased with age. The residents with hypertension, diabetes and atherosclerosis were more subjected to OA.

Conclusions

The prevalence of OA in Mongolian middle-aged and senior residents in part of the Inner Mongolia autonomous region was similar to the other ethnic groups. The prevalence of OA was affected by age, gender, location, hypertension, diabetes, atherosclerosis and osteoporosis. The residents need further educations about OA prevention and treatment.

Patient education with or without manual therapy compared to a control group in patients with osteoarthritis of the hip. A proof-of-principle three-arm parallel group randomized clinical trial

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effectiveness of a patient education (PE) program with or without the added effect of manual therapy (MT) compared to a minimal control intervention (MCI).

METHODS

In a single-center university hospital setting, a total of 118 patients with clinical and radiographic unilateral hip osteoarthritis (OA) from primary care were randomized into one of three groups: PE, PE plus MT or MCI. The PE was taught by a physiotherapist involving five sessions. The MT was delivered by a chiropractor involving 12 sessions and the MCI included a home stretching program. Primary outcome was self-reported pain severity on an 11-box numeric rating scale (NRS) immediately following a 6-week intervention period. Patients were followed for 1 year.

RESULTS

Primary analysis included 111 patients (94%). In the combined group (PE + MT), a clinically relevant reduction in pain severity compared to the MCI of 1.90 points (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.9-2.9) was achieved. Effect size (Cohen's d) for the PE + MT minus the MCI was 0.92 (95% CI 0.41-1.42). Number needed to treat for PE + MT was 3 (95% CI 2-7). No difference was found between the PE and MCI groups, with mean difference 0.0 (95% CI -1.0 to 1.0). At 12 months, not including patients receiving hip surgery the statistically significant difference favoring PE + MT was maintained.

CONCLUSIONS

For primary care patients with OA of the hip, a combined intervention of MT and PE was more effective than a MCI. PE alone was not superior to the MCI.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

clinicaltrials.govNCT01039337.

Reproducibility of range of motion and muscle strength measurements in patients with hip osteoarthritis - an inter-rater study

Background

Assessment of range of motion (ROM) and muscle strength is fundamental in the clinical diagnosis of hip osteoarthritis (OA) but reproducibility of these measurements has mostly involved clinicians from secondary care and has rarely reported agreement parameters. Therefore, the primary objective of the study was to determine the inter-rater reproducibility of ROM and muscle strength measurements. Furthermore, the reliability of the overall assessment of clinical hip OA was evaluated. Reporting is in accordance with proposed guidelines for the reporting of reliability and agreement studies (GRRAS).

Methods

In a university hospital, four blinded raters independently examined patients with unilateral hip OA; two hospital orthopaedists independently examined 48 (24 men) patients and two primary care chiropractors examined 61 patients (29 men). ROM was measured in degrees (deg.) with a standard two-arm goniometer and muscle strength in Newton (N) using a hand-held dynamometer. Reproducibility is reported as agreement and reliability between paired raters of the same profession. Agreement is reported as limits of agreement (LoA) and reliability is reported with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Reliability of the overall assessment of clinical OA is reported as weighted kappa.

Results

Between orthopaedists, agreement for ROM ranged from LoA [-28–12 deg.] for internal rotation to [-8–13 deg.] for extension. ICC ranged between 0.53 and 0.73, highest for flexion. For muscle strength between orthopaedists, LoA ranged from [-65–47N] for external rotation to [-10 –59N] for flexion. ICC ranged between 0.52 and 0.85, highest for abduction. Between chiropractors, agreement for ROM ranged from LoA [-25–30 deg.] for internal rotation to [-13–21 deg.] for flexion. ICC ranged between 0.14 and 0.79, highest for flexion. For muscle strength between chiropractors, LoA ranged between [-80–20N] for external rotation to [-146–55N] for abduction. ICC ranged between 0.38 and 0.81, highest for flexion. Weighted kappa for the overall assessment of clinical hip OA was 0.52 between orthopaedists and 0.65 between chiropractors.

Conclusions

Reproducibility of goniometric and dynamometric measurements of ROM and muscle strength in patients with hip OA is poor between experienced orthopaedists and between experienced chiropractors. Orthopaedists and chiropractors can to a moderate degree differentiate between hips with or without osteoarthritis.