Outcome assessment in feline orthopaedics

Introduction

Measuring patient-reported outcomes is the current method for conducting clinical research. Researchers and clinicians have developed these methods in 2006 for canine patients. To assess outcome, validated outcome instruments are needed. An outcomes instrument is a specific tool for providing data that measure a specific outcome such as joint reaction forces from a force-plate, an owner questionnaire or direct measurements of thigh girth. Ideally, outcomes instruments are objective and quantitative to avoid bias und maximize the integrity of the data. The most frequently used outcome instruments for canine orthopaedic patients are orthopaedic exams, radiographs and force plates. In feline patients owner questionnaires, orthopaedic and radiographic exams and accelerometers and pressure sensitive walkways or force plates are used.

If gait analysis and accelerometers are not available, development of a standardized client questionnaire and clinical assessment form seem to be the most logical approach for addressing the current shortcomings in study design, implementation for application of outcomes-based medicine in surgery and to objectively measure success of an intervention. [...]