Patient-reported outcome of 95% of young patients improves after primary total hip arthroplasty: identification of 3 recovery trajectories in 3,207 patients younger than 55 years from the Dutch Arthroplasty Register

Comparison of clinical outcomes between total hip replacement and total knee replacement

BACKGROUND

Total hip replacements (THR) and total knee replacements (TKR) are effective treatments for severe osteoarthritis (OA). Some studies suggest clinical outcomes following THR are superior to TKR, the reason for which remains unknown. This study compares clinical outcomes between THR and TKR.

AIM

To compare the clinic outcomes of THR anad TKR using a comprehensive range of patient reported outcome measures (PROMs).

METHODS

A prospective longitudinal observational study of patients with OA undergoing THR and TKR were evaluated using a comprehensive range of generic and joint specific PROMs pre- and post-operatively.

RESULTS

A total of 131 patients were included in the study which comprised the THR group (68 patients) and the TKR group (63 patients). Both groups demonstrated significant post-operative improvements in all PROM scores (P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in post-operative PROM scores between the two groups: Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome scores (P = 0.140), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index pain (P = 0.297) stiffness (P = 0.309) and function (P = 0.945), Oxford Hip and Knee Score (P = 0.076), EuroQol-5D index (P = 0.386) and Short-Form 12-item survey physical component score (P = 0.106). Subgroup analyses showed no significant difference (P > 0.05) between cruciate retaining and posterior stabilised prostheses in the TKR group and no significant difference (P > 0.05) between cemented and uncemented fixation in the THR group. Obese patients had poorer outcomes following TKR but did not significantly influence the outcome following THR.

CONCLUSION

Contrary to some literature, THR and TKR are equally efficacious in alleviating the pain and disability of OA when assessed using a comprehensive range of PROMs. The varying knee prosthesis types and hip fixation techniques did not significantly influence clinical outcome. Obesity had a greater influence on the outcome following TKR than that of THR.

Sexual function and sexual activity in young total hip arthroplasty Chinese patients: A retrospective cohort study

Introduction

As an essential component of quality of life, there is limited evidence of sexual function (SF), especially for young patients, before and after total hip arthroplasty (THA). This study aims to enhance the understanding of SF status and assess patient perspectives before and after THA.

Methods

A total of 109 patients who received THA were enrolled into our retrospective cohort study. To assess the SF status before and after THA, patients were required to fill out a standardized SF questionnaire [female sexual function index (FSFI) or brief sexual function inventory (BSFI) for males] and a specifically designated questionnaire regarding perspectives toward sexual activity and attitudes to sexual-related information.

Results

Total average scores of both FSFI and BSFI were higher post-THA. For female patients, the FSFI scores were significantly higher in the domain of desire, orgasm, and satisfaction (p < 0.05). For male patients, the BSFI scores were also improved in the sex drive and satisfaction domain post-operation (p < 0.05). A large proportion of the patients (64.22%) reported difficulty in sexual activity preoperatively, primarily due to restricted motion (82.86%) and hip pain (74.29%). After a successful procedure, there was a reduction in difficulty in patients' sexual activity post-THA (39.45%), mainly attributed to less pain (72.09%) and greater mobility (79.07%). In addition, subgroup analysis results indicated that gender and severity of hip stiffness and pain were crucial factors that could affect the patient's SF status. Furthermore, the majority of patients reported that they desired information concerning sexual activity, but only 12.84% of patients were informed well. Patients' preferred channels to acquire sexual-related information was a booklet (65.59%, n = 61), followed by informing a surgeon and a nurse. The most concerning questions regarding the sexual activity of patients were the time to recovery (90.32%) and safe postures (76.34%).

Conclusion

The majority of men and women who underwent THA reported their SF status return to baseline or have improved, mainly attributable to less pain and greater mobility. Age and severity of hip pain/stiffness were the factors that could affect patients' SF status. Sexual education for young THA patients is needed due to the lack of related information during hospitalization.