TOPIC

Orthopaedic research

Everything we have read on orthopaedic. Each paper is summarised from the full article rather than its abstract, so the limitations are in there too, and the funding wherever the paper declares it.

2,015 PAPERS · PAGE 25 OF 41 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTSurvey2023Work-related musculoskeletal disorders and risk factors among weavers: A cross-sectional study.The South African journal of physiotherapyWeavers in Burkina Faso reported high rates of musculoskeletal pain, with lower back pain affecting nearly three-quarters. Pain was linked to long working hours, age, and years of experience. Ergonomic changes, such as splitting heavy loads and alternating sitting with movement, are needed to reduce these risks.
• PTOTOther2023The global state of play: A study of the demographic characteristics of disability golfers.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationMost registered golfers with disability were men over 45, came from high-income countries, and 62.6% needed a golf cart. Golfers with neurologic, spinal cord, or visual impairments had worse golf handicaps.
• PTOTCohort2024Diagnostic profiles associated with long-term opioid therapy in active duty servicemembers.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationActive duty servicemembers with complex combinations of pain and mental health conditions were far more likely to receive long-term opioid therapy than those with single issues. The 'Multisystem Multimorbid' profile had over nine times the odds of long-term use compared to the 'Relatively Healthy' group.
• PTOTRCT2023Bridging gaps across levels of care in rehabilitation of patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases: Results from a stepped-wedge cluster randomized controlled trial.Clinical rehabilitationAdding a complex support package to usual rehabilitation did not improve patients' goal attainment or health outcomes compared to usual care alone. Only 31% of the intervention group received the intended post-discharge follow-up, suggesting implementation failures rather than lack of efficacy.
• PTOTSLPRCT2023Economic Evaluation of Inpatient Multimodal Occupational Rehabilitation vs. Outpatient Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Sick-Listed Workers with Musculoskeletal- or Common Mental Disorders.Journal of occupational rehabilitationInpatient multimodal rehabilitation cost more upfront but saved society money over two years compared to outpatient therapy. It gained 43.4 extra workdays per patient at a cost of 278 euros per day, which is below the average daily wage of 339 euros.
• PTOTCohort2023The Prevalence of Mental Health Service Use in Australian Workers with Accepted Workers' Compensation Claims for Low Back Pain: A Retrospective Cohort Study.Journal of occupational rehabilitationOnly 9.7% of workers with compensated low back pain accessed mental health services. Use rose sharply with claim duration, reaching 39.4% for claims over 76 weeks. Access varied by jurisdiction, with Western Australia lowest at 6.7% and Victoria highest at 12.0%.
• PTPilot2024Comparative Study of the Pain, Function, and Biomarkers of Joint Disease in the Transition to Adulthood in Individuals With and Without Cerebral Palsy.American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitationAdolescents and young adults with cerebral palsy had more hip and knee pain, poorer function, and higher serum MMP-1 than peers without CP. COMP and MMP-3 did not differ.
• PTOTSLPCohort2023Which items of the modified Barthel Index can predict functional independence at discharge from inpatient rehabilitation? A secondary analysis retrospective cohort study.International journal of rehabilitation research. Internationale Zeitschrift fur Rehabilitationsforschung. Revue internationale de recherches de readaptationIndependence in personal hygiene and bladder control on admission strongly predicted better functional outcomes at discharge for both neurological and orthopedic patients. Neurological patients also benefited from independence in feeding and transfers, while orthopedic patients benefited from independence in dressing.
• PTOther2023The role of an active muscular subsystem in prone instability test during rest and leg raise conditions.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineIn 33 adults with long-standing low back pain, posterior-anterior spine displacement was reduced during leg raise at L1-L4 but not L5. Sex did not change displacement, so prone instability test results should not be read differently for men and women.
• PTOTRCT2023Multicomponent Home-based Physical Therapy Versus Usual Care for Recovery After Hip Fracture.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationHome-based physical therapy after usual care improved walking speed and physical performance scores more than usual care alone. Both the specific exercise group and the active control group showed similar gains, suggesting that additional therapy sessions themselves may drive recovery.
• PTOTRCT2023Effectiveness of the home-based training program Tele-UPCAT (Tele-monitored UPper Limb Children Action Observation Training) in unilateral cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled trial.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineChildren with unilateral cerebral palsy who did a 3-week home action observation program had greater improvement in hand use than children receiving usual care, and the improvement was retained at later follow-up.
• PTOTPilot2023The impact of shoulder pathologies on job discontinuation and return to work: a pilot ultrasonographic investigation.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineShoulder surgery and jobs requiring forceful arm movement were linked to taking leave, while full-thickness supraspinatus tears were also associated with job discontinuation. However, ultrasound findings did not predict return to work; pain and disability scores were the borderline factors.
• PTOTQualitative2024Exploring attitudes of people with chronic health conditions towards the use of group-based telerehabilitation: A qualitative study.Clinical rehabilitationPeople with chronic conditions valued telerehabilitation for convenience, safety and connection, but reported technology problems, limited hands-on care and reduced social contact. 14 participants preferred hybrid programmes with live classes, recordings and professional guidance.
• PTOTCohort2023Factors affecting association between pain severity and physical activity among people with low back pain.International journal of rehabilitation research. Internationale Zeitschrift fur Rehabilitationsforschung. Revue internationale de recherches de readaptationFor most people with low back pain, higher pain means less activity. But those with moderate or severe disability showed the opposite: worse pain linked to more activity. Age, education, weight and general health also influenced this link, while sex and occupation did not.
• PTOTSLPOther2023Effects of Virtual Reality Exercises on Chronic Low Back Pain: Quasi-Experimental Study.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesCombining two virtual reality games with back-strengthening exercises reduced pain and disability more than using the games alone in patients with chronic low back pain. The VR games were delivered via Xbox Kinect alongside standard heat and electrical stimulation.
• PTOther2023The interaction between muscle pathophysiology, body mass, walking speed and ankle foot orthosis stiffness on walking energy cost: a predictive simulation study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationSimulations suggest optimal AFO stiffness for reducing energy cost is higher than previously thought. Stiffer orthoses are needed for severe weakness and faster walking, while standard low-stiffness devices may be insufficient for many patients.
• PTOTOther2023The BE-UJI hand function activity set: a reduced set of activities for the evaluation of the healthy and pathological hand.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationA 10-task hand assessment set was found to capture similar hand movement patterns as the full 20-task Sollerman test. It could potentially halve testing time for clinicians monitoring hand kinematics in healthy people and those with hand arthritis.
• PTOTQualitative2024Physical rehabilitation for people with advanced dementia who fracture their hip - expert consensus process.Disability and rehabilitationExperts agreed that rehab for advanced dementia after hip fracture is less about exercise and more about setting the scene. They prioritized managing pain, nutrition, and hydration, plus ensuring safety and comfort, before attempting any physical movement.
• PTOTRCT2023Rehabilitation therapy using the HUBER platform in chronic non-specific low back pain: a randomized controlled trial.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineHUBER platform exercises did not improve trunk strength more than standard rehab, the primary outcome was null. However, patients using the platform reported significantly less disability. Both groups improved, but the platform's specific benefit was on self-reported function, not measured strength.
• PTOTCohort2023Predictive factors for home discharge after femoral fracture surgery: a prospective cohort study.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineFemale sex, higher preoperative cognition, more physiotherapy sessions, higher exercise self-efficacy, and caregiver availability predicted home discharge after hip fracture surgery. These factors identified patients likely to return home versus needing institutional care.
• PTOTCase Report2023A Case Report Illustrating the Combined Use of Cryoneurolysis and Percutaneous Needle Tenotomy in the Treatment of Longstanding Spastic Shoulder Contractures After Stroke.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationIn a single stroke patient with longstanding pectoralis contracture, chest nerve freezing gave an immediate 20 degree increase in shoulder range, and at 8 weeks after also freezing leg nerves and cutting chest tendon she reported easier dressing, less pain, and better walking.
• PTOTCohort2024Maximal daily stepping cadence partially explains functional capacity of individuals with end-stage knee osteoarthritis.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationVeterans with severe knee osteoarthritis spent only 3.6 minutes a day walking briskly. This low volume of brisk walking, along with older age and higher pain, partially explained their reduced ability to walk for six minutes. Pain did not change how strongly brisk walking related to this capacity.
• PTQualitative2024Perceptions about smartphone-based interventions to promote physical activity in inactive adults with knee pain - A qualitative study.Disability and rehabilitation. Assistive technologyInactive adults with knee pain preferred smartphone apps that offer personalized goal setting, mood-based exercise plans, and direct clinician contact. They disliked peer competition, virtual badges, and constant reminders. Security concerns and poor usability were major barriers to engagement.
• PTOTPilot2023Restoring natural upper limb movement through a wrist prosthetic module for partial hand amputees.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationFor one partial hand amputee, total Jebsen-Taylor time was lower with the Re-fill prosthetic hand and wrist rotation module, 331.46 seconds, than without the module, 516.37 seconds, but still longer than the intact hand, 73.33 seconds.
• PTOTRCT2024Enhanced recovery after surgery combined with quantitative rehabilitation training in early rehabilitation after total knee replacement: a randomized controlled trial.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineStructured, phased rehabilitation after knee replacement led to better knee function, shorter hospital stays, and higher patient satisfaction than conventional exercises. Patients in the structured group had slightly more pain in the first three days but recovered well by two weeks. The benefit was in the planning and tracking, not just the exercises.
• PTOTSystematic Review2024Impact of Prescription Medicines on Work-Related Outcomes in Workers with Musculoskeletal Disorders or Injuries: A Systematic Scoping Review.Journal of occupational rehabilitationEarly, long-term, or high-dose opioid use is consistently linked to slower return to work and longer disability in injured workers. Evidence for non-opioid medicines like NSAIDs and muscle relaxants is conflicting, with some studies suggesting they may also delay recovery.
• PTOTSLPCohort2023Quadriceps strength, patellar tendon quality, relative load exposure, and knee symptoms in male athletes before the anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesMale athletes awaiting ACL surgery had significant quadriceps weakness and knee pain, but their patellar tendon quality was identical to the healthy leg. Clinicians should not assume the injured tendon has degraded structurally, as the uninjured side is a valid reference for recovery.
• PTOTSLPRCT2024Neuropathic-like pain in knee osteoarthritis: exploring differences in knee loading and inflammation. A cross-sectional study.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicinePatients with knee osteoarthritis and signs of neuropathic-like pain walked with higher dynamic load on the inner knee. They also reported worse pain and function. These are cross-sectional associations, so it is unknown if the load causes the pain or the pain changes the walking.
• PTOTCohort2023Hospital admission is associated with disability and late musculoskeletal pain in individuals with long COVID.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesHospitalized long COVID patients reported more musculoskeletal pain and worse balance, fatigue, and walking speed than those not hospitalized. Days in intensive care and on mechanical ventilation predicted higher pain intensity, suggesting severe acute illness drives late physical symptoms.
• PTOTOther2023Applications of wearable sensors in upper extremity MSK conditions: a scoping review.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationMost upper limb musculoskeletal wearable sensor studies measured joint motion, not whether treatments helped. Clinical studies were mostly observational, with no randomized trials, so they do not show whether sensors improve care.
• PTOTSurvey2024Preferences for risks and benefits of treatment outcomes for chronic low back pain: Choice-based conjoint measure development and discrete choice experiment.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationPatients with chronic low back pain valued walking at least 1 mile, walking outside for short distances, and accomplishing basic household routines most strongly. Avoiding much difficulty with thinking was also a strong preference.
• PTOTCohort2024Clinical prediction model for interdisciplinary biopsychosocial rehabilitation in osteoarthritis patients.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineA prediction model identified factors like fewer pain locations, higher disability, and higher self-efficacy as predicting success in interdisciplinary rehabilitation. With an AUC of 0.71, the model discriminates well but requires external validation before clinical use.
• PTOTQualitative2023Clinicians' Perspective on Implementing Virtual Hospital Care for Low Back Pain: Qualitative Study.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesClinicians worry virtual care for back pain misses serious pathology and worsens inequity for older or culturally diverse patients. They fear losing the therapeutic relationship and face liability for falls at home, but support it if hybrid visits and clear safety nets are used.
• PTOTPilot2023Prediction of Physical Activity Patterns in Older Patients Rehabilitating After Hip Fracture Surgery: Exploratory Study.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesIn this small exploratory analysis, a machine learning model correctly predicted two physical activity patterns for all seven patients in the test set using only the first week of wearable data. This suggests early activity levels may forecast recovery trajectories, but the tiny sample size makes these results preliminary.
• PTCohort2024The relationship between chronic diseases and the intensity and duration of low back pain.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineAmong adults with low back pain, those who reported one or more chronic diseases also reported higher pain intensity and longer pain duration. Hypertension and arthritis were linked to longer pain; hypothyroidism to higher intensity. This is association, not cause.
• PTOTRCT2023The Effect of Group Training or Spinal Orthosis on Quality of Life and Potential Plasma Markers of Pain in Older Women With Osteoporosis. A Randomized Controlled Trial.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationNeither group exercise with home exercises nor an activating spinal orthosis produced no clear quality-of-life benefit over 6 months in 113 older women with osteoporosis and back pain. Mobility scores were worse in the orthosis group than controls.
• PTOTOther2024The impact of a novel musculoskeletal consult service in an inpatient rehabilitation facility: A descriptive analysis.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationInpatients with refractory musculoskeletal pain saw significant pain reduction after sports medicine consults, especially those receiving injections. Functional improvement was greater in patients who did not need injections, suggesting those treated with procedures had more severe underlying impairments.
• PTOTOther2023Hip joint and muscle loading for persons with bilateral transfemoral/through-knee amputations: biomechanical differences between full-length articulated and foreshortened non-articulated prostheses.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationFull-length prostheses allow faster walking but increase hip joint forces and muscle effort. Short stubby prostheses reduce peak hip loads but require more strides per distance. Neither design is clearly safer for long-term joint health in this small group.
• PTPilot2024Potential Effects of an Exoskeleton-Assisted Overground Walking Program for Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury Who Uses a Wheelchair on Imaging and Serum Markers of Bone Strength: Pre-Post Study.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesA 16-week exoskeleton walking program showed mixed bone results in 10 people with spinal cord injury. Femoral neck bone mineral content increased, but femoral cortical thickness decreased. No control group was used, so these changes cannot be confirmed as treatment effects.
• PTOTOther2023Range of Motion Limitations in Middle-aged Adults With Cerebral Palsy.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationMiddle-aged adults with cerebral palsy have widespread joint mobility limitations, especially in the hips and shoulders. These restrictions are more severe in those with higher GMFCS levels and dyskinetic CP, but do not worsen with age in this group.
• PTRCT2024Exercise- and education-based prehabilitation before total knee arthroplasty: a pilot study.Journal of rehabilitation medicineFor patients awaiting knee replacement, prehabilitation combining exercise and education was safe but patient consent was low. It did not show better physical performance tests or shorter stay than usual care, though self-reported sport and activity scores differed over time between groups.
• PTOTPilot2023Using Risk Scores to Estimate Lower Extremity Fragility Fracture Risk among Individuals with Chronic Spinal Cord Injury: A Preliminary Model.Topics in spinal cord injury rehabilitationA preliminary risk score using five clinical factors estimates 5-year lower extremity fracture risk in chronic spinal cord injury. Prior fracture and duration of injury drive the score. The model is not validated for clinical use due to small sample size.
• PTOTOther2024Rasch analysis of the forgotten joint score in patients with total hip arthroplasty.Journal of rehabilitation medicineThe Italian Forgotten Joint Score works well for hip replacement patients, but only if you group the questions into five specific sub-scores. This adjustment fixes measurement errors, allowing you to accurately track how aware patients are of their new joint.
• PTOTOther2023Simplified functioning assessment for low back pain: ICF-based item response theory modelling.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineA shortened Chinese low back pain questionnaire can score functioning as no problem or problem and rank activities by difficulty, helping PTs and OTs choose rehabilitation targets; it has not been tested for improving outcomes.
• PTOTRCT2024Inpatient multimodal rehabilitation and the role of pain intensity and mental distress on return-to-work: causal mediation analyses of a randomized controlled trial.Journal of rehabilitation medicineInpatient multimodal rehabilitation nearly doubled the likelihood of sustainable return-to-work compared with outpatient care. This benefit occurred regardless of whether pain, anxiety, or depression improved. Reducing symptoms at the end of treatment was not necessary for patients to return to work.
• PTOTOther2024Biopsychosocial rehabilitation in the working population with chronic low back pain: a concept analysis.Journal of rehabilitation medicineA biopsychosocial rehabilitation programme for working adults with chronic low back pain requires 11 key components. These include therapeutic exercise, psychological support, education, personalization, self-management, participation, follow-up, practice standards, goal-setting, social support, and dietary advice.
• PTCohort2024Quality of Life in Children With Achondroplasia Undergoing Paired Limb Lengthening With an External Fixator and Modified Distraction Control: Observational Nonrandomized Study.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesChildren with a rod fixator reported less pain and a smaller drop in physical activity and mood early after limb lengthening. By 6 and 18 months, both fixator groups reported similar quality of life.
• PTOTSurvey2023Factors affecting social integration after road traffic orthopaedic injuries in Rwanda.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesTwo years after Rwandan road traffic orthopaedic injuries, most survivors reported no limitations, but lifting, mobility, household and community tasks were hardest. Older age, female sex, no rehabilitation and longer stays were linked to worse integration.
• PTQualitative2024Consumer Perceptions of Home-Based Percussive Massage Therapy for Musculoskeletal Concerns: Inductive Thematic Qualitative Analysis.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesSome consumers buying a best-selling massage gun on Amazon reported using it for aches, chronic pain, injury and recovery, valuing affordability and adjustable attachments. They also reported defects, intensity problems, and ignoring the 10 minute automatic shutdown. These are consumer perceptions, not evidence it works.
• PTRCT2024Alterations in functional connectivity in patients with non-specific chronic low back pain after motor control exercise: a randomized trial.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineMotor control exercise provided better long-term pain relief than manual therapy for chronic low back pain. While both helped immediately, only motor control exercise maintained significant improvements at six months. Brain scans showed motor control exercise changed connectivity in areas linked to pain and posture.