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Hintergrund: Chronischer Rückenschmerz ist weiterhin eine sozioökonomische Herausforderung. Die Rentenversicherung hat zur Behandlung dieser Erkrankung Rehabilitationsstandards erstellt. Die Ergebnisse einer orthopädischen Rehabilitation objektiv darzustellen ist bisher kaum gelungen, daher wird in dieser Studie mit Hilfe des Messinstrumentes Spineliner der Versuch unternommen, dies umzusetzen. Material und Methoden: Der Spineliner ist ein Instrument zur Erfassung von u.a. des Gewebewiderstandes. Dieser Parameter wurde in dieser Studie als objektivierbarer Messparameter zur Erfassung von Therapieeffekten bei der Behandlung chronischer Rückenschmerzpatient*innen untersucht. Zur Bestimmung der Intra - und Interraterreabilität wurden Messungen zu (zwei unterschiedlichen) Zeitpunkten bei zwei Gruppen gesunder Personen (n=15 und n=16) von zwei unterschiedlichen Untersuchern durchgeführt. Die Erhebung der Messwerte des Gewebewiderstandes erfolgte an 24 Punkten entlang der Wirbelsäule (7 HWS, 12 BWS und 5 LWS) und die Erfassung der klinischen Daten der Studie (bspw. BMI, FBA) erfolgte prospektiv bei Aufnahme und nach drei Wochen bei Entlassung. Im Verlauf erhielten die Probanden (n = 80) Therapien gemäß den RehabilitationsTherapieStandards der Deutschen Rentenversicherung. Neben der ärztlichen Untersuchung wurden die Funktionsverbesserung, die Symptomlinderung i.S. der Schmerzreduktion, sowie die Minderung der psychosozialen Problemlage anhand standardisierter Fragebögen (bspw. UKS, FFbH, ODI, NAS) zu Beginn und bei Abschluss der therapeutischen Intervention erhoben. Die rückengesunden Kontrollen erhielten keine Therapie. Aufgrund des messtechnischen Verfahrens kam es innerhalb der beiden Gruppen zu Dropouts in den Messreihen, so dass sich die Zahlen von n = 80 in der Probandengruppe und n = 64 in der Kontrollgruppe unterscheiden. Als statistische Verfahren kamen der T-Test und die ANOVA zum Einsatz. Ergebnis: Durch den Spineliner wurde eine signifikante Zunahme der Geweberesistenz (gemessen in Durometer) bei der Probandengruppe nach Rehabilitation (t2) erfasst (p(HWS) = 1.594E-05, p(BWS)= 0.045 und p(LWS)= 0.005). Die klinischen Parameter zeigten sich ebenfalls verbessert. Die Schmerzen zeigten sich nach erfolgter Therapie signifikant reduziert. Dies zeigte sich u.a. anhand des NAS in Ruhe mit einem p = 1.48E-09. Zusätzlich zeigten sich Probanden nach erfolgter Rehabilitation deutlich beweglicher, welches sich bspw. bei dem Finger-Boden-Abstand gemessen in cm mit einem p = 0.003 erfassen ließ. Die Minderung der psychosozialen Problemlage evaluiert mittels UKS zeigt sich statistisch signifikant in der Untersuchungsgruppe mit einem p = 1.596E-13. Die Verbesserung der Funktionskapazität bei Alltagstätigkeiten zeigt sich mittels des FFbHs mit einem p = 7.628E-0.5 und mittels des ODIs mit einem p = 2.556E-07. Schlussfolgerung: In diesem Zusammenhang konnten wir zeigen, dass die RTS zu einer signifikanten Verbesserung hinsichtlich des körperlichen und psychischen Befindens der Patienten beitragen. Es konnte in der Studie gezeigt werden, dass der Parameter Gewebewiderstand als objektivierbarer Messparameter geeignet ist, die o. g. Fragestellung zu beantworten. Der Spineliner scheint ein geeignetes Instrument zur Erfassung von objektiver Rehabilitationsergebnissen zu sein.

We aimed to determine the accuracy and reliability of measures characterizing anterior, lateral, and posterior acetabular coverage on intraoperative fluoroscopic images compared to postoperative radiographs when performing periacetabular osteotomies (PAOs). A study involving 100 PAOs was initiated applying a standardized intraoperative imaging protocol. Coverage was determined by the lateral center edge angle (LCEA), the Tönnis angle (TA), and the anterior and posterior wall index (AWI, PWI). An intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) model was used to assess interrater (ICC (3,2)) and intrarater (ICC (2,1)) reliability. The ICC (2,2) between analyses obtained from intraoperative fluoroscopy and postoperative radiographs and the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) were determined and complemented by Bland–Altman analysis, the mean difference, and 95% limits of agreement (LOA). The ICCs were 0.849 for the LCEA (95% CI 0.783–0.896), 0.897 for the TA (95% CI 0.851–0.930), 0.864 for the AWI (95% CI 0.804–0.907), and 0.804 for the PWI (0.722–0.864). The assessed interrater reliability was excellent except for the AWI, which was graded good (ICC = 0.857, 95% CI 0.794–0.902). Interrater agreement was generally good and fair for the AWI (ICC = 0.715, 95% CI 0.603–0.780). For each postoperative radiograph, interrater reliability was good with ICCs ranging from 0.813 (TA) to 0.881 (PWI). Intrarater reliability was good for all measurements and excellent for the preoperative TA (ICC = 0.993, 95% CI 0.984–0.997) and PWI (ICC = 0.954, 95% CI 0.919–0.97). In summary, we confirm the validity and reliability of intraoperative fluoroscopy as an alternative imaging modality to radiography to evaluate acetabular fragment orientation during PAO. We affirm the LCEA and TA as precise measures for lateral head coverage, and show the suitability of the AWI and PWI to steadily assess acetabular version.

The Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP), a population-based study from a rural state in northeastern Germany with a relatively poor life expectancy, supplemented its comprehensive examination program in 2008 with whole-body MR imaging at 1.5 T (SHIP-MR). We reviewed more than 100 publications that used the SHIP-MR data and analyzed which sequences already produced fruitful scientific outputs and which manuscripts have been referenced frequently. Upon reviewing the publications about imaging sequences, those that used T1-weighted structured imaging of the brain and a gradient-echo sequence for R2* mapping obtained the highest scientific output; regarding specific body parts examined, most scientific publications focused on MR sequences involving the brain and the (upper) abdomen. We conclude that population-based MR imaging in cohort studies should define more precise goals when allocating imaging time. In addition, quality control measures might include recording the number and impact of published work, preferably on a bi-annual basis and starting 2 years after initiation of the study. Structured teaching courses may enhance the desired output in areas that appear underrepresented.

Background: Arthroscopic treatment of femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) has become a common procedure. However, meaningful long-term clinical outcomes have not been defined. Purpose: To define the minimal clinically important difference (MCID), substantial clinical benefit (SCB), and patient acceptable symptomatic state (PASS) for the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS) at a minimum 10-year follow-up in patients undergoing arthroscopic treatment for FAIS and identify preoperative predictors for achievement of the MCID, SCB, and PASS. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A consecutive series of patients undergoing arthroscopic treatment for FAIS between 2007 and 2009 with a minimum 10-year follow-up was analyzed. Patient data included patient characteristics, radiographic parameters, and the pre- and postoperative mHHS and visual analog scale (VAS) for pain score. Paired t tests were used to compare the patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). The MCID was determined by calculating half of the standard deviation, and SCB and PASS were calculated by the anchor method. Correlation and logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify predictors for the achievement of the MCID, SCB, and PASS. Results: A total of 44 patients (27 men, 17 women) were included. The mean age and body mass index were 42.2 years (range, 16-67 years) and 22.3 kg/m2 (range, 16.76-29.78 kg/m2), respectively. The MCID, absolute SCB, net change SCB, and PASS of the mHHS were calculated to be 19.6, 90.1, 31.5, and 84.4 points, respectively. Preoperative symptom duration was identified as an independent predictor for the achievement of meaningful clinical outcomes. The median symptom durations for patients who achieved the MCID, absolute SCB, net change SCB, and PASS were 11.7, 9.1, 9.0, and 10.8 months, respectively. The median symptom duration for patients who did not achieve the MCID, absolute SCB, net change SCB, and PASS were 15.8, 17.4, 17.3, and 18.4 months, respectively. No other statistically significant correlations were found. Conclusion: The preoperative duration of symptoms was identified as an independent predictor for achievement of the MCID, SCB, and PASS. These findings can be helpful in accelerating the transition to surgical treatment of FAIS.

Background: The management of degenerative hip diseases in young patients remains a challenge. Despite the improvement of hip-preserving procedures, total hip arthroplasty (THA) may be required in some instances. In addition, young patients undergoing THA have high expectations concerning their postoperative level of activity. Purpose: (1) to define the sports activity level and the return to sports after THA, (2) to describe the modification or initiation of new sports disciplines, and (3) to report the clinically meaningful outcomes after THA in patients younger than 40 years. Methods: A total of 36 patients (40 hips) were prospectively analyzed at a midterm follow-up of 3.9 years. The modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS); the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain; the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) activity scale; and sports and recreational activity levels were assessed via questionnaire. The minimal clinically important difference (MCID) was determined by calculating half of the standard deviation, and the substantial clinical benefit (SCB) as well as patient acceptable symptomatic state (PASS), were calculated by the anchor method for the mHHS. Results: At the final follow-up, there was a significant improvement in mHHS (34.1 to 92.6; p < 0.0001), UCLA (3.2 to 7.6; p < 0.0001), and VAS for pain (8 to 1; p < 0.0001). More patients were active in sports at follow-up than before surgery (44% to 92%, p < 0.0001). In addition, the duration and frequency of sports activities showed a significant increase (p < 0.0001). The MCID, SCB and PASS for mHHS were 89% and 58%, respectively. No revision surgery had to be performed. Conclusion: This study showed that a large proportion of patients under 40 years of age who underwent THA increased their physical activity. Eighty-six percent of the patients were highly active, with a UCLA score ≥ 7. Furthermore, the reported MCID, SCB, and PASS for mHHS were achieved by more than 80% of patients.