Evaluating a program to help patients return to work after knee surgery

Protocol for a Multicenter Study on (Cost)Effectiveness of the Back At Work After Surgery (BAAS): a Clinical Pathway for Knee Arthroplasty

This study is testing a new program to see if it helps people get back to work faster after knee surgery compared to regular care.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 150 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 65 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Academisch Medisch Centrum - Universiteit van Amsterdam (AMC-UvA) (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Drachten, Friesland)
• Trial ID: NCT05690347 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This multicenter observational study aims to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the Back At Work After Surgery (BAAS) clinical pathway for patients undergoing knee arthroplasty. The study will involve a prospective cohort of patients scheduled for total or unicompartmental knee arthroplasty, comparing their return to work outcomes with those receiving usual care. By analyzing individual patient data from previous cohort studies, the research seeks to identify improvements in return to work rates and associated costs. The findings could inform better collaborative practices between medical and occupational care professionals.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are working-age individuals between 18 and 65 scheduled for knee arthroplasty who intend to return to work post-surgery.

Not a fit: Patients with knee arthroplasty for reasons other than osteoarthritis or those with major disabling mental disorders may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could significantly improve return to work outcomes for patients after knee arthroplasty.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results in improving return to work outcomes through similar collaborative care approaches, indicating potential for success.

Eligibility criteria

nclusion criteria for patients are: (ii) being scheduled for primary or revision UKA or TKA by an orthopedic surgeon between January 2022 and July 2023; (ii) having paid work for at least eight hours a week before surgery; (iii) being between 18 and 65 years of age and (iv) having the intention to fully RTW after surgery. Criteria to exclude patients are: (i) receiving more than one medical event within one year that affects work ability after KA; (ii) having a KA for any other reason than knee osteoarthritis; and (iii) having major disabling mental disorders. Patients who do not speak or read Dutch are given the opportunity to fill in the questionnaires with the aid of a translator and to have an interpreter present during the consultations. Patients who are eligible to participate are informed about the study by telephone by the medical case manager (MCM; physical therapist working in the hospital). During an intake consultation with an MCM, the patient information letter, informed consent, and an infographic of the BAAS clinical pathway (Appendix I) are handed out to the patient. Patients' questions regarding participation are answered. Patients are given one week to decide whether or not they wish to participate. Patients who opted for the possibility to participate receive a telephone call after one week so that they can ask any additional questions about the study and they will be asked if they want to participate. Participants willing to participate sign the informed consent.

Where this trial is running

Drachten, Friesland

• Nij Smellinghe — Drachten, Friesland, Netherlands (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Paul Kuijer, Dr — Academisch Medisch Centrum - Universiteit van Amsterdam (AMC-UvA)
• Study coordinator: daniel strijbos, PhD student

Conditions Arthropathy of Knee