Development of radiographic knee osteoarthritis and the associations to radiographic changes and baseline variables in individuals with knee pain: a 2-year longitudinal study.

Objectives: The aim was to study the development of radiographic knee osteoarthritis (RKOA) in individuals with knee pain over 2 years, and the associations between radiographic changes and baseline variables.

Design: Longitudinal cohort study.

Participants And Setting: This study is part of the Halland Osteoarthritis cohort.

The medical internship as a meaningful transition: A phenomenographic study.

Background: The transition from student to doctor is often depicted as a struggle in the literature, and previous research has focused on interventions to minimise difficulties in transitioning from undergraduate to postgraduate training. In considering this transition as a potential transformative experience, we intend to produce new insights into how junior doctors experience the transition to clinical work. The aim of this study was to explore medical interns' conceptualisations of the transition from student to doctor through studying the Swedish medical internship, which serves as a bridge between undergraduate and postgraduate studies.

Patient-reported outcome for 17,648 patients in 5 different Swedish orthopaedic quality registers before and 1 year after surgery: an observational study.

Background And Purpose: The EQ-5D is a patientreported outcome measure (PROM). To make priorities and allocate resources between patients and surgical procedures it is necessary to evaluate outcome differences, which is why comparing PROMs between registers is important. We compared EQ-5D data and the follow-up rate for selected diagnoses reported to Swedish orthopedic registers before and 1 year after surgery.

Junior doctors' experiences of the medical internship: a qualitative study.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore medical interns' experiences of medical internships.

Methods: Situated in an interpretivist paradigm, a qualitative study was carried out to explore medical interns' experiences of the internship. Invitations to participate were sent via email to medical interns currently in their last six months of internship.

Fast-Track Programs in Total Hip and Knee Replacement at Swedish Hospitals-Influence on 2-Year Risk of Revision and Mortality.

Purpose: We aimed to study the influence of fast-track care programs in total hip and total knee replacements (THR and TKR) at Swedish hospitals on the risk of revision and mortality within 2 years after the operation.

Methods: Data were collected from the Swedish Hip and Knee Arthroplasty Registers (SHAR and SKAR), including 67,913 THR and 59,268 TKR operations from 2011 to 2015 on patients with osteoarthritis. Operations from 2011 to 2015 Revision and mortality in the fast-track group were compared with non-fast-track using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox regression analysis with adjustments.

Influence of fast-track programs on patient-reported outcomes in total hip and knee replacement (THR/TKR) at Swedish hospitals 2011-2015: an observational study including 51,169 THR and 8,393 TKR operations.

Background and purpose - Fast-track care programs have been broadly introduced at Swedish hospitals in elective total hip and knee replacement (THR/TKR). We studied the influence of fast-track programs on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) 1 year after surgery, by exploring outcome measures registered in the Swedish arthroplasty registers.Patients and methods - Data were obtained from the Swedish Knee and Hip Arthroplasty Registers and included TKR and THR operations 2011-2015 on patients with osteoarthritis.

Cognitive status following a hip fracture and its association with postoperative mortality and activities of daily living: A prospective comparative study of two prehospital emergency care procedures.

Introduction: Early assessment of hip fracture patients' cognitive function is important for preventing pre- and postoperative complications. The aim of this study was twofold: (1) to assess prehospital cognitive function in hip fracture patients and establish whether cognitive status differs pre- and postoperatively between prehospital fast track care (PFTC) and the traditional emergency department (ED) pathway and (2) whether preoperative cognitive function is associated with postoperative mortality and activities of daily living (ADL) ability.

Methods: Three hundred and ninety one hip fracture patients were prospectively included.

It was not a hip fracture - you were lucky this time - or perhaps not! A prospective study of clinical outcomes in patients with low-energy pelvic fractures and hip contusions.

Introduction: Prehospital and hospital emergency care guidelines have been developed for patients with suspected hip fracture. Initial radiography can identify a number of patients with other injuries, generally pelvic fractures and hip contusions. Little is known about the prognosis for these patients.

Patient satisfaction with prehospital emergency care following a hip fracture: a prospective questionnaire-based study.

Background: Older patients with a hip fracture require specialized emergency care and their first healthcare encounter before arriving at the hospital is often with the ambulance service. Since 2005 there has been a registered nurse on the crew of every ambulance in Sweden in order to provide prehospital emergency care and to prepare the patients for hospitalization. It is important to investigate patient satisfaction with prehospital emergency care following a hip fracture to ensure that their expectations of good care are met.

Minimally important change, measurement error, and responsiveness for the Self-Reported Foot and Ankle Score.

Background and purpose - Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are increasingly used to evaluate results in orthopedic surgery. To enhance good responsiveness with a PROM, the minimally important change (MIC) should be established. MIC reflects the smallest measured change in score that is perceived as being relevant by the patients.

Similar patient-reported outcomes and performance after total knee arthroplasty with or without patellar resurfacing.

Background and purpose - Knee pain after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is not uncommon. Patellar retention in TKA is one cause of postoperative knee pain, and may lead to secondary addition of a patellar component. Patellar resurfacing in TKA is controversial.

Prehospital fast track care for patients with hip fracture: Impact on time to surgery, hospital stay, post-operative complications and mortality a randomised, controlled trial.

Introduction: Ambulance organisations in Sweden have introduced prehospital fast track care (PFTC) for patients with suspected hip fracture. This means that the ambulance nurse starts the pre-operative procedure otherwise implemented at the accident & emergency ward (A&E) and transports the patient directly to the radiology department instead of A&E. If the diagnosis is confirmed, the patient is transported directly to the orthopaedic ward.

Differences in muscle activity during hand-dexterity tasks between women with arthritis and a healthy reference group.

Background: Impaired hand function is common in patients with arthritis and it affects performance of daily activities; thus, hand exercises are recommended. There is little information on the extent to which the disease affects activation of the flexor and extensor muscles during these hand-dexterity tasks. The purpose of this study was to compare muscle activation during such tasks in subjects with arthritis and in a healthy reference group.

Effects of neuromuscular training (NEMEX-TJR) on patient-reported outcomes and physical function in severe primary hip or knee osteoarthritis: a controlled before-and-after study.

Background: The benefits of exercise in mild and moderate knee or hip osteoarthritis (OA) are apparent, but the evidence in severe OA is less clear. We recently reported that neuromuscular training was well tolerated and feasible in patients with severe primary hip or knee OA. The aims of this controlled before-and-after study were to compare baseline status to an age-matched population-based reference group and to examine the effects of neuromuscular training on patient-reported outcomes and physical function in patients with severe primary OA of the hip or knee.

Relationship between finger flexion and extension force in healthy women and women with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: Balance between flexor and extensor muscle activity is essential for optimal function. The purpose of this pilot study was to compare the relationship between maximum finger flexion force and maximum finger extension force in women with rheumatoid arthritis and healthy women.

Methods: Twenty healthy women (median age 61 years) and 20 women with rheumatoid arthritis (median age 59.

Patient-reported outcome after rheumatoid arthritis-related surgery in the lower extremities: a report from the Swedish National Register of Rheuma Surgery (RAKIR).

Background And Purpose: Although decreasing with the development of effective pharmacological regimes, joint surgery has improved the function and quality of life of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Few studies have assessed patient-reported outcomes after RA surgery to the lower extremities. Here we report patient-relevant outcome after RA-related surgery based on the first data from the Swedish National Register of Rheuma Surgery (RAKIR).

A six-week hand exercise programme improves strength and hand function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of hand exercise in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and to compare the results with healthy controls.

Methods: Forty women (20 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 20 healthy controls) performed a hand exercise programme. The results were evaluated after 6 and 12 weeks with hand force measurements (with a finger extension force measurement device (EX-it) and finger flexion force measurement with Grippit).

Knee arthroplasty: are patients' expectations fulfilled? A prospective study of pain and function in 102 patients with 5-year follow-up.

Background And Purpose: With an aging population expecting an active life after retirement, patients' expectations of improvement after surgery are also increasing. We analyzed the relationship between preoperative expectations and postoperative satisfaction and self-reported outcomes with regard to pain and physical function after knee arthroplasty.

Patients And Methods: 102 patients (39 men) with knee osteoarthritis and who were assigned for TKR (mean age 71 (51-86) years) were investigated with KOOS, SF-36, and additional questions concerning physical activity level, expectations, satisfaction, and relevance of the outcome to the patient.

Variations in the pre-operative status of patients coming to primary hip replacement for osteoarthritis in European orthopaedic centres.

Background: Total hip joint replacement (THR) is a high volume, effective intervention for hip osteoarthritis (OA). However, indications and determinants of outcome remain unclear. The 'EUROHIP consortium' has undertaken a cohort study to investigate these questions.

Variation in age and physical status prior to total knee and hip replacement surgery: a comparison of centers in Australia and Europe.

Objective: To investigate whether variation exists in the preoperative age, pain, stiffness, and physical function of people undergoing total knee replacement (TKR) and total hip replacement (THR) at several centers in Australia and Europe.

Methods: Individual Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index data (range 0-100, where 0 = best and 100 = worst) collected within 6 weeks prior to primary TKR and THR were extracted from 16 centers (n = 2,835) according to specified eligibility criteria. Analysis of covariance was used to evaluate differences in pain, stiffness, and physical function between centers, with adjustment for age and sex.

Magnitude and meaningfulness of change in SF-36 scores in four types of orthopedic surgery.

Background: The Medical Outcomes General Health Survey (SF-36) is a widely used health status measure; however, limited evidence is available for its performance in orthopedic settings. The aim of this study was to examine the magnitude and meaningfulness of change and sensitivity of SF-36 subscales following orthopedic surgery.

Methods: Longitudinal data on outcomes of total hip replacement (THR, n = 255), total knee replacement (TKR, n = 103), arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM, n = 74) and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL, n = 62) were used to estimate the effect sizes (ES, magnitude of change) and minimal detectable change (sensitivity) at the group and individual level.

Ultrasound evaluation in combination with finger extension force measurements of the forearm musculus extensor digitorum communis in healthy subjects.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of an ultrasound-based method of examining extensor muscle architecture, especially the parameters important for force development. This paper presents the combination of two non-invasive methods for studying the extensor muscle architecture using ultrasound simultaneously with finger extension force measurements.

Methods: M.

Patient relevant outcomes after total hip replacement. A comparison between different surgical techniques.

Objective: To investigate differences in pre- and postoperative patient-relevant outcome between hybrid total hip replacement (THR) and cemented THR in patients with primary osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: 245 consecutive patients were included in the study. 68 of the patients (mean age 62) were operated on with hybrid THR and 177 (mean age 74) were operated on with cemented THR.

Hip disability and osteoarthritis outcome score (HOOS)--validity and responsiveness in total hip replacement.

Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate if physical functions usually associated with a younger population were of importance for an older population, and to construct an outcome measure for hip osteoarthritis with improved responsiveness compared to the Western Ontario McMaster osteoarthritis score (WOMAC LK 3.0).

Methods: A 40 item questionnaire (hip disability and osteoarthritis outcome score, HOOS) was constructed to assess patient-relevant outcomes in five separate subscales (pain, symptoms, activity of daily living, sport and recreation function and hip related quality of life).