Clinical orthopaedic outcome metrics

Topic One covers the different types of outcome metrics used in clinical orthopaedics to monitor how successful a medical intervention is. This can be via nationwide joint registries pooling big data together to individual surgeons monitoring their own outcomes through a variety of methods

Outcome metrics

Big data - This is pooled data which is taken from many sources used to look at trends. The National Joint Registry in the UK is an example of big data, where hospitals and surgeons submit their joint replacement procedures of the ankle, shoulder, hip and knee joint via standardised forms. This data is used to see which implants are successful and which are not. Without data like this it would be hard to identify which implants perform poorly. Take a look at their website - click here.

PROMs - This is data which is subjective to the patients own experience. Patient reported outcome metrics are questionnaires filled out by the patient to see how the implant has affected their daily functioning. The Oxford Hip Score is an example of this, specific to functionality of the hip. 

Clinical outcome metrics - This includes biochemical measures (such as levels of chromium and cobalt), radiological outcome measures (such as assessing implant position radiographically) and clinical assessment of the patient (examination of the patient).

All of these outcome metrics are required to improve the way orthopaedic care is delivered over time.