High quality health services are often difficult to access in rural and remote areas of Australia. This is due to a shortage of health care professionals and specialists, inadequate and poorly distributed resources, and the tyranny of distance. The result is a reduced level of health and a higher mortality rate than seen in urban communities. Telemedicine, which is the use of various technologies to deliver a range of health care services over a distance, has the potential to increase equity and access to health care in rural and remote areas. To date there has been a poor uptake of telemedicine technology within the profession of physiotherapy. This undoubtedly stems from the perceived, and indeed, real difficulty of performing what is traditionally ‘hands on’ therapy, via an electronic medium. Added to this is a paucity of rigorous clinical outcome studies to demonstrate the efficacy of performing successful treatment via this delivery method. The aim of this thesis was to establish the efficacy of telemedicine as a clinical tool for physiotherapists. To achieve this, the first major undertaking was the development of a telemedicine system to meet the unique needs of clinical physiotherapists and their patients. A series of studies was then performed to calibrate the system and establish its validity and reliability as a clinical assessment tool. Finally, a randomised controlled trial was conducted to assess the treatment efficacy of the telemedicine system. The telemedicine system was constructed using a human systems development approach, with close consultation with senior clinical physiotherapists and potential users of the system. The personal computer-based system was designed to connect patients in their home with physiotherapists in the hospital, via low-speed and low-cost communications. The system incorporated real-time videoconferencing and physical measurement tools to enable the remote assessment of patients. The validity and reliability of the telemedicine physical measurement tools were established through a series of five studies. The results demonstrated these measurements to be accurate and reliable, under various measurement conditions, when compared to reference instruments. A prospective randomised controlled trial was conducted to assess the treatment efficacy of the telemedicine system. The research model chosen for this study was the rehabilitation of subjects who had undergone total knee replacement surgery. Block randomisation was used to assign 65 participants to either a traditional face-to-face therapy group or a telemedicine rehabilitation group. Participants in both groups received treatment over a six week period. Data analysis focussed on comparing physical and functional rehabilitation outcomes achieved in each treatment group. The results of this study demonstrated that the rehabilitation outcomes produced via the telemedicine system were similar to those achieved in the traditional manner. Additionally, the telemedicine therapy was found to produce greater improvements in a number of functional outcome measurements. A high level of satisfaction was expressed by participants who received treatment via the telemedicine method. This thesis provides evidence of the efficacy of telemedicine as a clinical tool for physiotherapists. Furthermore, the work detailed in this thesis represents one of the first randomised control trials in telerehabilitation and makes a significant contribution towards the knowledge of low-bandwidth telemedicine in general. This thesis provides a framework upon which further research and telemedicine applications may be developed, with the ultimate goal of improving equity and access to high quality health services in rural and remote areas.

High quality health services are often difficult to access in rural and remote areas of Australia. This is due to a shortage of health care professionals and specialists, inadequate and poorly distributed resources, and the tyranny of distance. The result is a reduced level of health and a higher mortality rate than seen in urban communities. Telemedicine, which is the use of various technologies to deliver a range of health care services over a distance, has the potential to increase equity and access to health care in rural and remote areas. To date there has been a poor uptake of telemedicine technology within the profession of physiotherapy. This undoubtedly stems from the perceived, and indeed, real difficulty of performing what is traditionally ‘hands on’ therapy, via an electronic medium. Added to this is a paucity of rigorous clinical outcome studies to demonstrate the efficacy of performing successful treatment via this delivery method. The aim of this thesis was to establish the efficacy of telemedicine as a clinical tool for physiotherapists. To achieve this, the first major undertaking was the development of a telemedicine system to meet the unique needs of clinical physiotherapists and their patients. A series of studies was then performed to calibrate the system and establish its validity and reliability as a clinical assessment tool. Finally, a randomised controlled trial was conducted to assess the treatment efficacy of the telemedicine system. The telemedicine system was constructed using a human systems development approach, with close consultation with senior clinical physiotherapists and potential users of the system. The personal computer-based system was designed to connect patients in their home with physiotherapists in the hospital, via low-speed and low-cost communications. The system incorporated real-time videoconferencing and physical measurement tools to enable the remote assessment of patients. The validity and reliability of the telemedicine physical measurement tools were established through a series of five studies. The results demonstrated these measurements to be accurate and reliable, under various measurement conditions, when compared to reference instruments. A prospective randomised controlled trial was conducted to assess the treatment efficacy of the telemedicine system. The research model chosen for this study was the rehabilitation of subjects who had undergone total knee replacement surgery. Block randomisation was used to assign 65 participants to either a traditional face-to-face therapy group or a telemedicine rehabilitation group. Participants in both groups received treatment over a six week period. Data analysis focussed on comparing physical and functional rehabilitation outcomes achieved in each treatment group. The results of this study demonstrated that the rehabilitation outcomes produced via the telemedicine system were similar to those achieved in the traditional manner. Additionally, the telemedicine therapy was found to produce greater improvements in a number of functional outcome measurements. A high level of satisfaction was expressed by participants who received treatment via the telemedicine method. This thesis provides evidence of the efficacy of telemedicine as a clinical tool for physiotherapists. Furthermore, the work detailed in this thesis represents one of the first randomised control trials in telerehabilitation and makes a significant contribution towards the knowledge of low-bandwidth telemedicine in general. This thesis provides a framework upon which further research and telemedicine applications may be developed, with the ultimate goal of improving equity and access to high quality health services in rural and remote areas.

High quality health services are often difficult to access in rural and remote areas of Australia. This is due to a shortage of health care professionals and specialists, inadequate and poorly distributed resources, and the tyranny of distance. The result is a reduced level of health and a higher mortality rate than seen in urban communities. Telemedicine, which is the use of various technologies to deliver a range of health care services over a distance, has the potential to increase equity and access to health care in rural and remote areas. To date there has been a poor uptake of telemedicine technology within the profession of physiotherapy. This undoubtedly stems from the perceived, and indeed, real difficulty of performing what is traditionally ‘hands on’ therapy, via an electronic medium. Added to this is a paucity of rigorous clinical outcome studies to demonstrate the efficacy of performing successful treatment via this delivery method. The aim of this thesis was to establish the efficacy of telemedicine as a clinical tool for physiotherapists. To achieve this, the first major undertaking was the development of a telemedicine system to meet the unique needs of clinical physiotherapists and their patients. A series of studies was then performed to calibrate the system and establish its validity and reliability as a clinical assessment tool. Finally, a randomised controlled trial was conducted to assess the treatment efficacy of the telemedicine system. The telemedicine system was constructed using a human systems development approach, with close consultation with senior clinical physiotherapists and potential users of the system. The personal computer-based system was designed to connect patients in their home with physiotherapists in the hospital, via low-speed and low-cost communications. The system incorporated real-time videoconferencing and physical measurement tools to enable the remote assessment of patients. The validity and reliability of the telemedicine physical measurement tools were established through a series of five studies. The results demonstrated these measurements to be accurate and reliable, under various measurement conditions, when compared to reference instruments. A prospective randomised controlled trial was conducted to assess the treatment efficacy of the telemedicine system. The research model chosen for this study was the rehabilitation of subjects who had undergone total knee replacement surgery. Block randomisation was used to assign 65 participants to either a traditional face-to-face therapy group or a telemedicine rehabilitation group. Participants in both groups received treatment over a six week period. Data analysis focussed on comparing physical and functional rehabilitation outcomes achieved in each treatment group. The results of this study demonstrated that the rehabilitation outcomes produced via the telemedicine system were similar to those achieved in the traditional manner. Additionally, the telemedicine therapy was found to produce greater improvements in a number of functional outcome measurements. A high level of satisfaction was expressed by participants who received treatment via the telemedicine method. This thesis provides evidence of the efficacy of telemedicine as a clinical tool for physiotherapists. Furthermore, the work detailed in this thesis represents one of the first randomised control trials in telerehabilitation and makes a significant contribution towards the knowledge of low-bandwidth telemedicine in general. This thesis provides a framework upon which further research and telemedicine applications may be developed, with the ultimate goal of improving equity and access to high quality health services in rural and remote areas.

No description available.

Résumé : Problématique: Près de 40% des 57 718 Canadiens ayant subi une arthroplastie du genou entre 2013 et 2014 étaient des travailleurs; la majorité étant âgée entre 55 à 64 ans. Des indices démographiques et législatifs laissent entrevoir que ce nombre continuera d’augmenter dans les prochaines années. Environ 15 à 30% de ces patients éprouvent des difficultés à reprendre ou à demeurer au travail six mois après la chirurgie. Malgré l’ampleur du phénomène, la perspective des travailleurs quant à ces difficultés demeure inconnue. Objectifs : Ce projet vise à mieux comprendre, selon la perspective du travailleur, les mécanismes sous-jacents à reprendre, ou non, une vie saine et active au travail à la suite d’une arthroplastie du genou. Plus précisément, il s’agit de décrire les représentations de l’incapacité au travail de ces travailleurs. Méthode : Ce projet qualitatif est basé sur une approche narrative avec comme cadre conceptuel le modèle d’autorégulation de Leventhal. Un échantillon de convenance de huit travailleurs ayant eu une arthroplastie du genou et éprouvant des difficultés à reprendre ou à demeurer au travail a été recruté. Des entrevues individuelles semi-dirigées ont été conduites. La méthode de Landry a été suivie pour le codage. D’abord, le cadre conceptuel a permis l’élaboration du cahier de codification tout en laissant la place à des codes émergents. Une analyse thématique des verbatim a ensuite été réalisée à l’aide du logiciel AtlasTi par deux codeurs indépendants (PM et MFC) qui ont discuté des codes divergents. Une fois toutes les entrevues codées, des réunions en équipe multidisciplinaire (kinésiologue, psychologue et physiothérapeute) ont eu lieu pour discuter de chaque cas et profiter de l’expertise de chacun des membres de l’équipe pour une analyse en profondeur. Résultats : La moitié des travailleurs rencontrée était absente du travail au moment de l’entrevue. L’émergence de cinq thèmes principaux a permis d’identifier deux cas types, soient retournés au travail avec difficultés, mais présence de soutien, et non retournés. Les travailleurs de la première trajectoire rapportent une implication de l’entreprise dans les démarches de retour au travail et ont les conditions nécessaires pour prendre des moyens actifs afin d’améliorer leur condition. Pour les travailleurs de la deuxième trajectoire, différents obstacles nuisent à la reprise des activités dont des complications postopératoires, une perception d’exigences de travail élevées, un faible soutien de l’environnement de travail et peu de ressources pour les aider. Conclusion : L’identification d’une trajectoire qui est moins favorable au retour au travail permet d’identifier les travailleurs à risque d’être en situation d’incapacité au travail. Ces travailleurs pourraient bénéficier de services en réadaptation au travail pour favoriser la reprise d’une vie saine et active après l’arthroplastie du genou. / Abstract : Purpose: Nearly 40% of the 57,718 Canadians who underwent total knee arthroplasty (TKA) between 2013 and 2014 were workers; the majority of them were aged from 55 to 64 years. Demographic and legislative indications suggest that this number will increase in the coming years. Actually, 15 to 30% of these patients report limitations at work or are not able to return to work six months after the surgery. Despite this growing phenomenon, workers’ insight on what influence work disability remains unknown. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to understand the worker’s perspective on what contributes or impedes the return to an active working life after TKA. Specifically, we aimed to document workers’ representations of their disability following TKA. Method: This qualitative study was conducted based on a narrative approach using Leventhal’s Common Sense Model (CSM) as the conceptual framework. A convenience sample of eight workers experiencing limitations while at work or being fully disabled (on sick leave) after TKA was interviewed. We conducted semistructured interviews, and then we followed Landry’s method for coding. First, we used a mixed coding method whereby codes were established a priori using the CSM with the possibility for emergent codes. Second, two researchers (PM and MFC) independently coded all interviews, compared the codes, and discussed diverging results. Third, after coding all interviews and based on the coding, content analysis was performed in multidisciplinary team (psychologist, physiotherapist, kinesiologist). Each interview was discussed by the team to compare the analysis and to obtain consensus as we believe our disciplinary backgrounds might impact interpretation of the data by bringing new information to the case. Content analysis was performed with Atlas-Ti software. Results: Half of the workers were fully disabled because of TKA. We identified two typical cases: workers who returned to work with difficulties but perceived support from their environment and workers who did not returned to work. The workers that returned to work reported involvement of their work environment in the return-to-work process. They felt they had greater improvement after TKA, and this enables them to further improve their condition. Workers who did not return to work encountered various obstacles such as ostoperative complications, a more physically-demanding job, negligible support from their work environment, and few resources to help them. Conclusion: The identification of a case that is less favorable to return to work allowed us to identify workers at risk of work disability. These workers could benefit from work rehabilitation services in order to promote a better active working life after TKA.

Aseptic loosening of the tibial component is an important cause of failure after total knee arthroplasty. Bone destruction often claimed to be caused by the cement makes the revision difficult. In order to treat younger patients, uncemented fixation has been introduced, but the etiology to loosening is multifactorial and only partly known. Early detection of implant migration facilitates research in this field but is difficult using conventional techniques. In this study modified versions of roentgen stereophotogrammetric analysis (RSA) were developed to obtain accurate and standardized evaluations facilitating comparison between prosthetic designs. The method was used to record the efficacy of cemented and uncemented fixation of different designs of the tibial component, to determine the accuracy of scintimetry in the detection of early aseptic loosening, and to analyse the in vivo kinematics of knee arthroplasties with different design and stability between the joint surfaces. Forty-three arthroplasties with comparatively high inherent stability of the joint surfaces were randomized to cemented or uncemented fixation of the tibial component. In all groups micromovements were rather large, but with no differences between the cemented and uncemented components. The preoperative diagnosis (arthrosis OA, n=25; rheumatoid arthritis RA, n=18) did not influence the magnitude of micromotion. 20 arthroplasties with the same design as above but equipped with an intramedullary stem, were randomized to cemented or uncemented fixation in patients with RA. Cement improved the fixation. Uncemented stemmed components displayed micromovements seemingly larger than unstemmed ones. 34 arthroplasties with an unconstrained design of the joint area and fixed to the tibia with four pegs were randomized to cemented or uncemented fixation in patients with OA. When used uncemented 4 screws were added. Compared with previously investigated designs small micromotions were recorded, and especially in the cemented cases. Uncemented components with thin polyethylene inserts displayed larger initial micromotions. The preoperative deformity influenced the direction of the micromotion. 33 knees were followed prospectively with RSA and scintimetry to evaluate any correlation between these methods. Low activity under the tibial component at 2 years implied prosthetic stability, whereas high activity indicated instability or high bone remodelling caused by the preoperative malalignment. The in vivo kinematics in three different designs of knee arthroplasties were analyzed during active flexion and extension without weight-bearing. Each type of prosthesis displayed design-specific abnormalities when compared with a normal material. Pronounced posterior tibial translations were recorded during flexion regardless whether the posterior cruciate ligament had been sacrificed or not. Data from the kinematic and the fixation studies suggest that movements restricted by the design of the joint area are transmitted to the bony interface with design-specific micromotions as the result. Analysis of knee joint kinematics during extension and weight-bearing revealed small alterations compared with non-weight-bearing. Evaluation of the three-dimensional movements in terms of helical axis rotations and translations confirmed the constrained or unconstrained in vivo behaviour of the designs under study. This analysis also facilitated the interpretation of the kinematic behaviour of the prosthetic knees and may be of value in the evaluation of new designs. / <p>Diss. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Umeå universitet, 1992, härtill 7 uppsatser.</p> / digitalisering@umu

published_or_final_version / Medical Sciences / Master / Master of Medical Sciences

Class of 2017 Abstract / Objectives: The first aim is to assess efficacy of aspirin versus enoxaparin in preventing a venous thromboembolism (VTE) after a total knee arthroplasty (TKA) or total hip arthroplasty (THA) within 30 days after discharge. The second aim is to assess the safety of aspirin versus enoxaparin in preventing major bleeding events after a TKA or THA within 30 days after discharge. Methods: This study was a retrospective cohort study with data obtained from an online Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital database. For analysis, the primary outcome was assessed with a Chi-Square test, and the secondary outcome was reported with descriptive statistics.Results: Results: Demographics for 374 patients (TKA, n = 275; THA, n = 99): 90% male, average age of 65, average body mass index (BMI) of 32, 26% smokers, 72% had a history of hypertension, and 60% had a history of dyslipidemia. VTE events 30 days post-operatively: enoxaparin (n = 2), enoxaparin/aspirin (n = 1), and aspirin (n = 2) (P-value = 0.78). Safety events (major bleeding events): enoxaparin (n = 42), enoxaparin/aspirin (n = 7), and aspirin (n = 4). Conclusions: There was no significant difference between the treatment groups for VTE rate 30 days post- operation. The enoxaparin treatment group had the greatest number of safety events compared to the other groups.

Unicompartmental knee replacement (UKR) is the principal alternative to total knee replacement (TKR) in the treatment of end-stage knee osteoarthritis. It involves less tissue resection, resulting in lower rates of morbidity and faster recoveries compared to TKR. However, UKR has a significantly higher revision rate compared to TKR. As a result, whilst over a third of patients are eligible for UKR, only around 8% receive it. A comprehensive comparison of matched patients undergoing TKR and UKR was undertaken using a large dataset from the National Joint Registry for England and Wales (NJR). Failure rates (revision, reoperation, complications and mortality), length of stay and patient-reported outcomes (PROMs) were studied. Whilst patients undergoing TKR had lower reoperation and revision rates, they had higher rates of morbidity and mortality, longer hospital stays, and inferior PROMs compared to UKR. The main reason for revision in UKR was loosening. In view of the high revision rate in UKR, NJR data was studied to identify modifiable risk factors for failure in UKR. Important patient factors were identified including age, gender and pre-operative function. Surgeons with a higher UKR caseload had significantly lower revision rates and superior patient-reported outcomes. Increasing usage (offering UKR to a greater proportion of knee replacement patients) appears to be a viable method of increasing caseload and therefore of improving results. Surgeons with optimal usage (around 50% of patients, using appropriate implants) achieved revision/reoperation rates similar to matched patients undergoing TKR. Two clinical studies were conducted to establish whether the use of cementless fixation would improve fixation and reduce the revision rate of UKR. Cementless UKR was demonstrated to be safe and reliable, with PROMs similar or superior to those demonstrated in cemented UKR. Patients with suboptimal cementless fixation were examined and pre-disposing technical factors were identified. Finally, using NJR data, the effect of the introduction of cementless UKR on overall outcomes was examined. The number of cementless cases was small, and no significant effect on implant survival was demonstrated. However, patients undergoing cementless UKR demonstrated superior PROMs. These studies demonstrate that UKR has numerous advantages over TKR in terms of morbidity, mortality and PROMs. If surgeons perform high volumes of UKR (achievable by increasing their UKR usage), these advantages can be attained without the large difference in revision rates previously demonstrated. Cementless UKR is safe and provides superior fixation and outcomes in the hands of high-volume surgeons. Further work is needed to quantify the revision rate of cementless UKR, and to assess its results in the hands of less experienced surgeons.

A avaliação funcional após a artroplastia total de joelho (ATJ) tem o intuito de analisar como os resultados alcançados após a cirurgia impactam na qualidade de vida e função dos pacientes. Questionários subjetivos de auto percepção da função são os instrumentos mais utilizados, porém, tendem a superestimar a função física. Os testes de desempenho físico avaliam objetivamente o que o indivíduo é capaz de executar, mas avaliam tarefas isoladas que nem sempre refletem a mobilidade nas atividades de vida diária. Portanto, o objetivo deste estudo foi analisar o quanto a avaliação funcional, que incluiu questionários subjetivos e testes de desempenho físico, permite avaliar as mudanças ocorridas longitudinalmente após a ATJ e permite estabelecer fatores pré e pós-operatórios preditivos da função após um ano de cirurgia. Foi realizado estudo longitudinal prospectivo com 87 sujeitos (62 mulheres), idade 67±7 anos, IMC 33±5 kg/m2, submetidos à ATJ primária unilateral. A avaliação ocorreu no pré-operatório e 3, 6 e 12 meses após a cirurgia. Análise da covariância analisou as mudanças ao longo do tempo e a árvore de classificação e regressão estabeleceu os fatores preditivos. O questionário subjetivo WOMAC-função e os testes de desempenho físico timed up and go (TUG) e teste de caminhada de seis minutos (TC6) aos 12 meses de pós-operatório foram as variáveis primárias. A idade, índice de massa corpórea (IMC), WOMAC-dor, função pré-operatória e força muscular do joelho operado e não operado, tanto pré quanto pós-operatoriamente, foram estabelecidas como variáveis secundárias. Os resultados mostraram que WOMAC e o TUG atingiram platô de evolução aos três meses de pós-operatório, enquanto oTC6 alcançou o platô aos seis meses de pós-operatório. Com relação aos fatores pré- operatórios preditivos da função após 12 meses de cirurgia, indivíduos com TUG <=19 s e idade entre 62 e 70 anos alcançaram melhor pontuação no WOMAC-função. Sujeitos com força dos músculos extensores do joelho não operado >=99 Nm/kg e TC6 >328 m antes da cirurgia percorreram maior distância no TC6. Sujeitos com TUG =421 m no pré-operatório obtiveram melhor desempenho no TUG. Sobre os fatores pós-operatórios preditivos da função, sujeitos com WOMAC-dor < 1,5 pontos, TC6 >=410 m e TUG < 8 s apresentaram melhor pontuação do WOMAC-função. Sujeitos com TUG <9 s e força dos músculos extensores do joelho operado >=113 Nm/kg apresentaram melhor desempenho no TC6. Sujeitos com TC6 >=421 m e força dos músculos flexores do joelho não operado >=47Nm/kg foram mais rápidos na execução do TUG. Concluímos que os questionários subjetivos e os testes de desempenho físico apresentaram diferentes comportamentos de evolução ao longo de um ano de pós-operatório de ATJ. Sujeitos com melhor desempenho físico pré e pós-operatório apresentam melhor pontuação no WOMAC-função após a cirurgia e sujeitos com pior dor pós-operatória apresentaram pior percepção da função no mesmo período. Os fatores de maior predição dos testes de desempenho físico foram a função pré-operatória e a força muscular pré e pós-operatória. / The functional evaluation after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is intended to analyze how the results achieved by the surgery affect the quality of life and function of patients. Subjective patient-report outcomes measures are the most commonly used instruments, but tend to overestimate physical function. Physical performance tests objectively evaluate what the individual is capable to perform, but evaluate isolated tasks that do not always reflect mobility in activities of daily living. Therefore, this study was aimed to analyze how functional evaluation, which encompassed subjective questionnaires and physical performance tests, enables us to evaluate the changes occurred longitudinally after TKA and to establish pre and post-operative predictive factors of this function one year after surgery. We performed a prospective longitudinal study with 87 individuals (62 women), age 66.9±6.66 years, BMI 32.5±5 kg/m2, submitted to unilateral primary TKA. The evaluation took place in the pre-operative period and 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery. The analysis of covariance assessed the changes over time, whereas the classification and regression tree established the predictive factors by considering the WOMAC-function questionnaire and the physical performance tests Timed Up and Go (TUG) and Six-minute Walk Test (6MWT) at 12 months post-operative as primary variables. Age, body mass index (BMI), WOMACpain, pre-operative function, and knee muscle strength, both pre-operatively and postoperatively, were set up as secondary variables. The results showed that the subjective questionnaires and the TUG tests reached a plateau of evolution at three months post-operative, while the 6MWT tests reached the plateau at six months postoperative. Regarding the pre-operative predictive factors of the function at 12 months after surgery, individuals with TUG<=19.3 seconds, aged between 62 and 70 years achieved a better score in the WOMAC-function one year after surgery. Individuals with non-operated knee extensor muscle strength >=99.43 Nm/kg and 6MWT >328 meters before surgery walked a longer distance in the 6MWT test. Individuals with TUG <12.3 seconds and 6MWT>=421 meters in the pre-operative period achieved better TUG performance. As for the post-operative predictive factors of the function, individuals with WOMAC-pain<1.5 points, 6MWT>=410.2 meters and TUG <7.90 seconds showed better scores of the WOMAC-function. Individuals with TUG<9.44seconds and operated knee extensor muscle strength>=112.8 Nm/kg showed better performance in the 6MWT test. Individuals with 6MWT>=421 meters and non-operated knee flexor strength>=47 Nm/kg were faster in executing the TUG test. We concluded that the subjective questionnaires and the physical performance tests showed different evolutionary behaviors during the first year after the TKA surgery. Individuals with better pre and post-operative physical performance show better scores in the WOMAC-function after surgery, while individuals with worse post-operative pain show worse perception of the function in the same period. The most predictive factors of the physical performance tests were pre-operative function and pre and post-operative muscle strength.