Clinical outcome
Statistically significant improvements in HSS and VAS pain score were
seen in all treatment groups postoperatively at time of last follow-up
compared to preoperative measurements (P<0.01).
Follow-up assessment preformed at an average of 11.4 years
postoperatively, showed patients receiving co-therapy in group C to have
had superior improvement in both HSS score and VAS pain compared to
group B patients given DMARDs alone (P= 0.01 and P = 0.04 respectively)
(Table 3). HSS and VAS were statistically similar at follow-up between
groups A and B. No differences were noted between any groups in joint
ROM shortly after surgery prior to discharge. However long-term
evaluation at latest follow-up demonstrated group C patients to have
made the significantly greater postoperative improvement in ROM compared
to both groups A and B (P=0.001 and P=0.002 respectively), while no
follow-up ROM differences were observed between groups A and B (P=1.00)
(Table 3).