Combined Digital Interventions for Pain Reduction in Patients Undergoing Knee Replacement: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Digital technology represents an opportunity to improve outcomes following total knee replacement (TKR). Digitally delivered interventions have been shown to be similar to face-to-face interventions and to increase participation levels in people with osteoarthritis.

Objective: To assess the effect of a digital technology package in reducing pain compared with usual care following TKR.

Baseline knee osteoarthritis radiographic severity as a predictor of symptom response to diet and exercise program: A secondary analysis.

Objective: To investigate whether baseline joint space narrowing (JSN) predicted disease remission, knee pain, and physical function changes in persons with knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: This study is a secondary analysis of a two-armed randomized controlled trial. Participants were aged ≥50 years (n = 171) with a body mass index ≥28 kg/m and radiographic medial tibiofemoral OA.

Sexual activity satisfaction in symptomatic hip osteoarthritis patients: A cross-sectional, national web-based study.

Aim: Despite high-interest rates in sex in people with hip osteoarthritis (OA), clinicians tend not to address sexual issues, especially in older adults. The objective of this study is to evaluate sexual activity and factors associated with sexual activity satisfaction in people with symptomatic hip OA.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 252 participants with symptomatic hip OA in Australia.

Determinants of quality of life and hand function among people with hand osteoarthritis.

Objective: The objectives of this study are to ascertain the determinants of quality of life (QoL) and hand function among persons with hand osteoarthritis (OA) and to assess the influence of hand function on QoL among persons with OA.

Methodology: Two hundred and four participants in a clinical trial completed the baseline assessment. Demographic, socioeconomic, QoL (AqoL-4D), hand function (Functional Index for Hand Osteoarthritis, FIHOA), pain assessment, radiographic and clinical characteristics of participants were measured using standard methods.

Correlations between objective and self-reported step count adherence following total knee replacement: A longitudinal repeated-measures cohort study.

Objective: To determine how physically active individuals are following total knee replacement (TKR) and how accurately they self-report their step count adherence compared to objective measure following TKR.

Methods: Observational cohort study, nested within the PATHway randomised-clinical trial. Participants (n = 102) who had recently undergone TKR were recruited for the main trial.

Predictors of Adherence to a Step Count Intervention Following Total Knee Replacement: An Exploratory Cohort Study.

Objective: To explore the person-level predictors of adherence to a step count intervention following total knee replacement (TKR).

Design: Prospective cohort study, nested within the PATHway trial.

Methods: Participants who had recently undergone TKR were recruited from 3 rehabilitation hospitals in Sydney, Australia, for the main trial.

Associations between radiographic features, clinical features and ultrasound of thumb-base osteoarthritis: A secondary analysis of the COMBO study.

Aim: To investigate the associations of ultrasound and radiographic features of thumb-base osteoarthritis (OA) with thumb-base pain and hand function at baseline and 12 weeks.

Method: Data from a randomized controlled trial conducted in participants with symptomatic radiographic thumb-base OA were analyzed. Participants who finished follow up were included in this secondary analysis.

Low-level laser therapy and static stretching exercises for patients with knee osteoarthritis: A randomised controlled trial.

Objectives: To investigate the laser effect associated with stretching exercise on pain and functionality in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Design: A randomised controlled trial.

Setting: Special Rehabilitation Services.

Examining patient activation and other factors associated with changes in pain and function following best evidence osteoarthritis care.

Objectives: The primary objective was to examine baseline patient activation as a prognostic factor for changes in pain and function following participation in an osteoarthritis management program. The secondary objective was to examine other prognostic factors from existing literature (e.g.

High baseline pain is associated with treatment adherence in persons diagnosed with thumb base osteoarthritis: An observational study.

Background: Thumb osteoarthritis (OA) is a common and disabling condition. Adherence to prescribed conservative interventions may affect outcomes of thumb OA trials.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to determine whether baseline pain and hand function is associated with treatment adherence over 12 weeks in participants with thumb base OA.

Efficacy of a Combination of Conservative Therapies vs an Education Comparator on Clinical Outcomes in Thumb Base Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: A combination of conservative treatments is commonly used in clinical practice for thumb base osteoarthritis despite limited evidence for this approach.

Objective: To determine the efficacy of a 6-week combination of conservative treatments compared with an education comparator.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Randomized, parallel trial with 1:1 allocation ratio among people aged 40 years and older with symptomatic and radiographic thumb base osteoarthritis in a community setting in Australia.

The association between psychological factors and pain exacerbations in hip osteoarthritis.

Objectives: To evaluate the association between psychological factors and pain exacerbations in people with hip OA.

Methods: Eligible participants with symptomatic hip OA were instructed to complete online questionnaires every 10 days over a 90-day follow-up period. In addition, they were required to complete the questionnaire whenever they perceived they were experiencing a hip pain exacerbation.

Carpometacarpal and metacarpophalangeal joint collapse is associated with increased pain but not functional impairment in persons with thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis.

Introduction: Due to the complex shape of the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint, a fixed joint collapse deformity of the thumb CMC (CMC1) and metacarpophalangeal (MCP1) joint can present in advanced stages of CMC1 osteoarthritis (OA), resulting in adduction of the first metacarpal (MC1) and hyperextension of the MCP1.

Purpose Of The Study: To determine whether joint collapse deformity is associated with worse pain and/or functional impairment.

Study Design: Cross-sectional.

Is Heel Height Associated with Pain Exacerbations in Hip Osteoarthritis Patients?-Results from a Case-Crossover Study.

The etiology of osteoarthritis (OA) pain exacerbations is not well understood. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the association of heel height and duration of wearing shoes with higher heels with pain exacerbations in people with hip OA. Eligible participants with symptomatic hip OA were instructed to complete online questionnaires every 10 days over a 90-day follow-up period.

Effectiveness of Stepped-Care Intervention in Overweight and Obese Patients With Medial Tibiofemoral Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: To test the effectiveness of a 32-week, stepped-care intervention on disease remission rates in overweight and obese patients with medial tibiofemoral osteoarthritis (OA) compared to controls.

Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, eligible participants were ≥50 years of age with a body mass index of ≥28 kg/m and radiographic evidence of medial tibiofemoral OA. Participants were randomized to stepped-care (n = 87) or control group (n = 84).

Musculoskeletal ultrasound in symptomatic thumb-base osteoarthritis: clinical, functional, radiological and muscle strength associations.

Background: Thumb-base osteoarthritis (OA) is a common cause of pain and disability This study aimed to investigate the associations of musculoskeletal ultrasound OA pathologies with the extent of pain, function, radiographic scores, and muscle strength in symptomatic thumb-base osteoarthritis.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of an ongoing clinical trial with eligibility criteria including thumb-base pain on Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) ≥40 (0 to 100 mm), Functional Index for Hand OA (FIHOA) ≥ 6 (0 to 30) and Kellgren Lawrence (KL) grade ≥ 2. The most symptomatic side was scanned to measure synovitis and osteophyte severity using a 0-3 semi-quantitative score, power Doppler and erosion in binary score.

Association of Comorbid Interphalangeal Joint Pain and Erosive Osteoarthritis With Worse Hand Function in Individuals With Symptomatic Thumb Base Osteoarthritis.

Objective: Hand osteoarthritis (OA) trials often target exclusively the thumb base joint, although concomitant widespread interphalangeal (IP) joint involvement is frequent. We aimed to compare hand strength and function between individuals with isolated thumb base OA and those with coexistent IP joint pain and erosive OA.

Methods: Baseline data from a thumb base OA trial were analyzed (n = 204).

Sleep Quality and Fatigue Are Associated with Pain Exacerbations of Hip Osteoarthritis: An Internet-based Case-crossover Study.

Objective: To evaluate the association of sleep quality, sleep duration, and fatigue with hip pain exacerbations in persons with symptomatic hip osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: Participants (n = 252) were followed for 90 days and asked to complete online questionnaires at 10-day intervals (control periods). A hip pain exacerbation (case periods) was defined as an increase of 2 points in pain intensity compared with baseline on a numeric rating scale (0-10).

Developing strategic priorities in osteoarthritis research: Proceedings and recommendations arising from the 2017 Australian Osteoarthritis Summit.

Background: There is a pressing need to enhance osteoarthritis (OA) research to find ways of alleviating its enormous individual and societal impact due to the high prevalence, associated disability, and extensive costs.

Methods: Potential research priorities and initial rankings were pre-identified via surveys and the 1000Minds process by OA consumers and the research community. The OA Summit was held to decide key research priorities that match the strengths and expertise of the Australian OA research community and align with the needs of consumers.

The role of skeletal muscle in the pathophysiology and management of knee osteoarthritis.

The role of skeletal muscle in the pathophysiology of knee OA is poorly understood. To date, the majority of literature has focused on the association of muscle strength with OA symptoms, disease onset and progression. However, deficits or improvements in skeletal muscle strength do not fully explain the mechanisms behind outcome measures in knee OA, such as pain, function and structural disease.

Stepped care approach for medial tibiofemoral osteoarthritis (STrEAMline): protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: Current guidelines recommend tailored interventions to optimise knee osteoarthritis (OA) management. However, models of care still have a 'one size fits all' approach, which is suboptimal as it ignores patient heterogeneity. This study aims to compare a stepped care strategy with standard care for overweight and obese persons with medial tibiofemoral OA.

Osteoarthritis: the genesis of pain.

OA is a painful joint disease that predominantly affects the elderly. Pain is the primary symptom of OA, and it can present as either intermittent or constant. OA pain mechanisms are complex and have only recently been determined.