Abstract
BACKGROUND: To date, there are no adequate care concepts for geriatric patients undergoing elective orthopaedic surgery in Germany. The Special Orthopaedic Geriatrics (SOG) study evaluates for the first time in Germany the impact of comprehensive orthogeriatric co-management on the outcome of elderly patients with elective hip and knee replacements compared to standard orthopaedic care. METHODS: The interim analysis of the ongoing study included 174 patients; 87 patients were randomized to the intervention group and 87 to the control group. The SOG care model consists of screening, preoperative assessment with preoperative intervention, fast-track surgery and multimodal perioperative care in the orthogeriatric team. The control group received standard orthopaedic care. Mobility, complications, and patient-reported outcome measures after surgery were compared. RESULTS: The SOG group showed a clinically relevant improvement in mobility postoperatively compared to the control group at all time points (p < 0.01). The evaluation of complications showed a significant risk reduction for minor complications (p < 0.01), as well as a clear trend towards a risk reduction for major complications. Patient-reported outcome measures showed a significant improvement in joint function and general health-related quality of life both in the SOG group and the control group. CONCLUSION: Integrated orthogeriatric care models such as SOG could improve the care of geriatric patients in elective orthopaedic surgery in the future and, above all, make it safer.