Patient Reported Outcomes (PROs) - a Tool for Strengthening Patient Involvement and Measuring Outcome in Orthopaedic Outpatient Rehabilitation.

The present study serves to establish Patient Reported Outcomes (PROs) as a tool for strengthening patient involvement and measuring outcomes in orthopaedic outpatient rehabilitation. Assessments by FFbH-R (Hannover Back Function Questionnaire for patients with back problems), Quick-DASH (Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Score for patients with upper extremity lesions), and LEFS (Lower Extremity Function Scale for patients with lower extremity lesions) were employed in 20 outpatient rehabilitation centres over a period of 12 months to evaluate changes in performance and participation from the subjective patient perspective. The following questionnaires were used: FFbH-R status post: lumbar disc surgery; cervical disc surgery; spinal canal decompression; conservative back pain treatment; other; Quick-DASH status post: rotator cuff reconstruction; shoulder arthroplasty; fracture (conservative or osteosynthesis); other; LEFS status post: hip arthroplasty; knee arthroplasty; anterior cruciate ligament repair; osteotomy; fracture (conservative treatment or osteosynthesis); other. Analysis of the 6,751 usable data sets demonstrated significant positive changes in all scores and diagnostic subgroups. The mean difference in score was 14.2 points in the FFbH-R, - 22 points in the Quick-DASH and 18 points in the LEFS. Thus, this study proves the positive effects of orthopaedic rehabilitation in an outpatient setting. PROs were instituted on a permanent basis in seven of the participating institutions.