Abstract
Background
Total hip replacement is a highly successful procedure, yet access to arthroplasty is limited in many developing nations. In response, organizations in the United States have conducted service trips to provide international arthroplasty care to underserved populations. Little outcomes data are currently available related to these trips. We aimed to assess patient outcomes following total hip arthroplasty performed on a surgical mission trip.
Methods
We completed an arthroplasty service trip to Brazil during which we performed 46 total hip arthroplasties (THA) on 38 patients. Patient demographic data, comorbidity profile, complication data, and pre- and postoperative Modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), PROMIS Short Form Pain (SF-Pain), PROMIS Short Form Physical Function (SF-Function), and HOOS Jr scores were collected. Baseline and final follow-up scores were compared. In addition, we utilized a novel questionnaire that was designed to determine outcomes most relevant to patients receiving joint replacements in developing countries. A multivariate regression analysis was performed to identify associations between patient factors and outcomes.
Results and Discussion
The mean patient age was 48.8 years, and 47% were female. 30 patients had a unilateral THA and 8 had bilateral simultaneous THA. 61% of patients had a preoperative diagnosis of osteoarthritis (OA), 13% avascular necrosis, 13% post-traumatic OA, 8% developmental hip dysplasia, and 5% rheumatoid arthritis. Mean pain duration was 1–5 years for 45% of patients and >5 years for 55% of patients. The mean mHHS, HOOS, PROMIS SF-Pain and PROMIS SF-Function all improved significantly compared to baseline at 2 and 6 weeks post-operatively. Multivariate regression analysis did not reveal any associations between patient reported outcomes and age, gender, pain duration, preoperative diagnosis or unilateral versus bilateral surgery. Subjective questionnaires at 12 weeks postoperatively revealed that surgery met expectations for 94% of patients; 97% of patients had as much pain relief as they expected; 45% of patients had no physical limitations; 82% of patients were not taking any medications for their hip (18% used occasional NSAIDs); 82% of patients gained new independence at home; and 97% felt their overall quality of life improved significantly. Two patients had postoperative periprosthetic femur fractures requiring an ORIF. One patient had a DVT requiring 6 months of anticoagulation.
Conclusion
We found that patients in a developing country benefitted significantly from total hip arthroplasty when performed by a visiting surgical team, with acceptable complication profiles. Validated legacy outcome measures show improvements in pain and function after THA similar to those observed in patients in the United States. Additionally, the results of our questionnaire help to identify outcomes of specific interest to developing countries with relatively limited resources, particularly regaining functional independence after THA.
