Hip replacement surveillance. Use of clinical lectureship award for four projects

Smith, Lindsay

Abstract

There are more than 80,000 hip replacements completed in England, Wales and Northern Ireland every year, but a hip replacement does not last forever (1). For every 100 hip replacements, approximately 10 will need to have another operation because, over time, there is interaction between the human body and the materials and mechanics of the joint replacement. Long-term follow-up, ten years and more after the primary surgery, can provide information for the patient about the state of their replaced joint and has been advocated by the orthopaedic community for many years. If the joint repayment is found to be failing, a planned revision surgery may be advised to avoid sudden failure and emergency surgery, thereby improving the patient experience and reducing unplanned treatment burden within the NHS. However, the current economic climate influences the delivery of health services and there is evidence of reduced long-term follow-up of joint replacement without the evidence for this disinvestment (2).

Four studies were conducted in relation to the following research question:

Hip arthroplasty surveillance: Is it really necessary?

The primary author, a physiotherapist, was in receipt of an NIHR Clinical Lectureship which involved clinicians and researchers in two universities and two NHS Trusts, plus two NIHR Clinical Interns. The four projects included a systematic literature review, a focus group study, a survey of orthopaedic health professionals and an observational clinical study (30. A snapshot of results from each of these studies is presented, showing the use of mixed methods to answer the research question. It also demonstrates the use of an NIHR post-doctoral award to develop research skills in conjunction with a team of academics and clinicians through joint-working with both of the Bristol universities and with local NHS Trusts.

References:
1. National Joint Registry. 15th Annual report. http://www.njrreports.org.uk/Portals/0/PDFdownloads/NJR%2015th%20Annual%20Report%202018.pdf (last accessed 28 January 2019).
2. Smith, L.K. Assessment of the current state of hip arthroplasty surveillance in the UK. Musculoskeletal Care, 2014; 12(4): 232-238.
3. Smith, L.K.; Lenguerrand, E.; Blom, A.W.; Powell, J.; Palmer, S.P. Protocol for an observational study of long term follow up after hip arthroplasty: Effect on revision (WHISTLER study). Musculoskeletal Care, 2017; 15(4): 373-378.

• Presentation Conference Type: Poster
• Start Date: Feb 7, 2019
• End Date: Feb 7, 2019
• Acceptance Date: Feb 7, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 15, 2019
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/1493860
• Additional Information: Title of Conference or Conference Proceedings : National Institute for Health Research ICA Conference