Can Women Live with More Symptoms than Men?: Defining Gender Differences in the Patient Acceptable Symptom State (PASS) in Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgery

Introduction/Purpose: Over the last few years an increasing focus has been directed to define cut-off points for important health improvement. Minimal clinically important difference (MCID) values have traditionally been used to determine if a statistical change translates to a clinical improvement to the patient. Although MCID is helpful, it may be even more important to identify if the current treatment is adequate or that the patient has achieved an acceptable symptom state (symptoms minimal enough to live with). The purpose of this study was to determine if gender influenced patient reported outcomes (patient acceptable symptom state (PASS) and PROMIS Physical Function, Pain Interference and Depression) in patients with foot and ankle problems

Clinical Utilization of Patient Reported Outcome (PROMIS) Scores for Surgical Reconstruction of Posterior Tibialis Tendon Dysfunction

Introduction/Purpose: Previous studies have demonstrated that preoperative Patient Reported Outcome Instrumentation System (PROMIS) scores effectively predict improvement in foot and ankle surgery. Adult acquired flatfoot deformity (AAFD) and Posterior Tibialis Tendon Dysfunction (PTTD) are a common surgical problem, but it is unclear if the specific thresholds for the physical function (PF), pain interference (PI) and depression published previously for all foot and ankle surgeries apply to a specific diagnosis. Furthermore, the interplay of PROMIS scores and clinical variables has not been evaluated. The purpose of this study was: 1) to investigate the change in PROMIS scales and radiographic measurements from pre- to postoperative follow up in AAFD/PTTD patients, 2) to determine if preoperative PROMIS scales predict post-surgical improvement, 3) to determine if demographic, clinical variables combined with pre-operative PROMIS scales predict post-surgical improvement

Determining Success or Failure After Foot and Ankle Surgery Using Patient Acceptable Symptom State (PASS) and Patient Reported Outcome Information System (PROMIS)

Background: As the role of generic patient-reported outcomes (PROs) expands, important questions remain about their interpretation. In particular, how the Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Instrumentation System (PROMIS) t score values correlate with the patients’ perception of success or failure (S/F) of their surgery is unknown. The purposes of this study were to characterize the association of PROMIS t scores, the patients’ perception of their symptoms (patient acceptable symptom state [PASS]), and determination of S/F after surgery. Methods: This retrospective cohort study contacted patients after the 4 most common foot and ankle surgeries at a tertiary academic medical center (n = 88). Patient outcome as determined by phone interviews included PASS and patients’ judgment of whether their surgery was a S/F. Assessment also included PROMIS physical function (PF), pain interference (PI), and depression (D) scales. The association between S/F and PASS outcomes was evaluated by chi-square analysis. A 2-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) evaluated the ability of PROMIS to discriminate PASS and/or S/F outcomes. Receiver operator curve (ROC) analysis was used to evaluate the ability of pre- (n = 63) and postoperative (n = 88) PROMIS scores to predict patient outcomes (S/F and PASS). Finally, the proportion of individuals classified by the identified thresholds were evaluated using chi-square analysis. Results: There was a strong association between PASS and S/F after surgery (chi-square \u3c0.01). Two-way ANOVA demonstrated that PROMIS t scores discriminate whether patients experienced positive or negative outcome for PASS (P \u3c .001) and S/F (P \u3c .001). The ROC analysis showed significant accuracy (area under the curve \u3e 0.7) for postoperative but not preoperative PROMIS t scores in determining patient outcome for both PASS and S/F. The proportion of patients classified by applying the ROC analysis thresholds using PROMIS varied from 43.0% to 58.8 % for PASS and S/F. Conclusions: Patients who found their symptoms and activity at a satisfactory level (ie, PASS yes) also considered their surgery a success. However, patients who did not consider their symptoms and activity at a satisfactory level did not consistently consider their surgery a failure. PROMIS t scores for physical function and pain demonstrated the ability to discriminate and accurately predict patient outcome after foot and ankle surgery for 43.0% to 58.8% of participants. These data improve the clinical utility of PROMIS scales by suggesting thresholds for positive and negative patient outcomes independent of other factors. Level of Evidence: II, prospective comparative series

PROMIS Pain Interference Is Superior vs Numeric Pain Rating Scale for Pain Assessment in Foot and Ankle Patients

Background: The Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) is a popular method to assess pain. Recently, the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) has been suggested to be more accurate in measuring pain. This study aimed to compare NPRS and PROMIS Pain Interference (PI) scores in a population of foot and ankle patients to determine which method demonstrated a stronger correlation with preoperative and postoperative function, as measured by PROMIS Physical Function (PF). Methods: Prospective PROMIS PF and PI and NPRS data were obtained for 8 common elective foot and ankle surgical procedures. Data were collected preoperatively and postoperatively at a follow-up visit at least 6 months after surgery. Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated to determine the relationship among NPRS (0-10) and PROMIS domains (PI, PF) pre- and postoperatively. A total of 500 patients fit our inclusion criteria. Results: PROMIS PF demonstrated a stronger correlation to PROMIS PI in both the pre- and postoperative settings (preoperative: ρ = −0.66; postoperative: ρ = −0.69) compared with the NPRS (preoperative: ρ = −0.32; postoperative: ρ = −0.33). Similar results were found when data were grouped by Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code. Conclusion: PROMIS PI was a superior tool to gauge a patient’s preoperative level of pain and functional ability. This information may assist surgeons and patients in setting postoperative functional expectations and pain management. Level of Evidence: Level II, prognosti

Process of discovery: A fourth-year translational science course

The Liaison Committee on Medical Education notes the importance of educating medical students on clinical and translational research principles.To describe a fourth-year course, “Process of discovery,” which addresses teaching these principles, and to discuss students’ perceptions of the course.Core components and pedagogical methods of this course are presented. Course assessment was performed with specific pre- and post-course assessments.During academic years 2004 to 2009, 562 students were enrolled, with assessment response rate of 94% pre-course and 85% post-course. The students’ self-assessment of their current understanding of clinical and translation research significantly increased, as well as their understanding of how clinical advances will take place over the next decade.A fourth-year course teaching clinical and translational research is successful, is seen as a positive experience and can meet the requirements for including clinical and translational research in the medical school curriculum

Is there a Difference in Outcomes between Patients who Received a Double or Triple Arthrodesis for Hindfoot Arthritis?

Introduction/Purpose: Triple arthrodesis has historically been considered the standard of treatment for arthritis of the hindfoot with or without deformity. The complications of this surgery including non-union, malunion, nerve injury, infection and wound healing problems can occur at any of the three joints. Double arthrodesis is capable of producing a similar reduction in degrees of motion and correction of foot deformity but may also cause less patient morbidity in regard to these complications due to one less joint being incorporated into the fusion procedure. What is unknown is the patient reported outcomes, specifically physical function (PF) and pain interference (PI) between these two procedures. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical outcomes for hindfoot deformity using a triple compared to a double arthrodesis

Current concepts review: Isolated gastrocnemius contracture and gastrocnemius recession

Recent literature has demonstrated an increased awareness of the role of an IGC in patients with foot and ankle symptoms and disorders. However, the contribution of an IGC to the pathology and natural history of these foot and ankle disorders is not known. Initial investigations of gastrocnemius recession procedures for a variety of pathologies suggest improvements in dorsiflexion range of motion, pain, and patient satisfaction. Functional outcomes, however, are less clear. Whether prospective or retrospective in design, comparison of outcomes among current investigations is difficult because of the small subject numbers and limited use of validated functional outcomes. Although further investigations are necessary, early reports note encouraging results for pain relief and increased motion for the gastrocnemius procedure used in isolation for plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, metatarsalgia, and forefoot ulcerations. Copyright © 2012 by the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society

Patient reported outcomes and ankle plantarflexor muscle performance following gastrocnemius recession for Achilles tendinopathy: A prospective case-control study

© 2019 European Foot and Ankle Society Background: Prospective studies to guide the application of a gastrocnemius recession for Achilles tendinopathy are limited. Our aim was to prospectively evaluate patient reported outcomes and muscle performance. Methods: Patients with unilateral recalcitrant Achilles tendinopathy who received an isolated gastrocnemius recession (n = 8) and a healthy control group (n = 8) were included. Patient reported outcomes, ankle power during walking and stair ascent, and the heel rise limb symmetry index (total work) were collected. Results: Improvements in pain and self-reported function were observed (six months and two years). Sport participation scores reached 92% by two years. Patients demonstrated lower ankle power during stair ascent and decreased limb symmetry during heel rise six months following treatment (p ≤ .02). Conclusions: Study findings regarding long-term improvements in patient pain, self-reported function and sport participation, and early preservation of ankle function during walking, can help refine patient selection, anticipated outcomes, and rehabilitation strategies

Osteochondral Defects in Hallux Rigidus

Category: Midfoot/Forefoot Introduction/Purpose: Hallux rigidus, or 1st metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint degeneration, is commonly encountered in foot and ankle practice. Operative management can include a dorsal cheilectomy, a motion sparing procedure to reduce impingement. Hallux rigidus affects patients across all age groups, and etiologies may include trauma, first ray hypermobility, pes planus, or hallux valgus. First MTP joint trauma may result in an osteochondral defect (OCD). Literature is sparse regarding OCD management in the 1st MTPJ, as is follow-up data on cheilectomy using validated outcome measures. We hypothesize that the presence of an OCD is associated with symptomatic hallux rigidus at a lower Coughlin and Shurnas grade. We also hypothesize that OCD treatment concurrent with cheilectomy leads to outcomes equivalent to patients treated with isolated hallux rigidus. Methods: A retrospective review of prospectively collected data was performed. All patients of a single surgeon were reviewed based on the CPT code (28289) for cheilectomy from 1/1/2011 to 12/31/2015. Demographic data, presence/drilling of an OCD on operative reports, and Coughlin grading were recorded. All patients had taken the FAAM and SF-36 preoperatively per the surgeon’s routine preoperative data collection. After approval by the institutional review board, all patients were contacted by telephone for follow-up and answered the FAAM, SF-36 and Patient Acceptable Symptom State (PASS) questionnaires. Visual analog scores (VAS), patient satisfaction, complications, and whether they would opt for surgery again were recorded.Paired T-tests were performed to evaluate improvement in FAAM activity of daily living (ADL), FAAM sport, SF-36 physical component scores (PCS), and SF-36 mental component scores (MCS). Two-tailed T-tests were performed to evaluate the difference in groups with and without OCDs. Results: Seventy-one patients met inclusion criteria. Follow-up was obtained from 28 patients (29 feet) for analysis, 10 with OCDs. Mean responder age was 53.1 years (32.6-70.9), with average 4 year follow-up (minimum 2 years). Patients with OCDs had lower Coughlin grade (p<0.01) and trended towards lower age (p=0.07), but similar improvement in FAAM sport (p=0.43), SF-36 PCS (p=0.33), and MCS (p=0.46). Patients with OCDs trended towards greater improvement in FAAM ADL (p=0.07). The entire cohort demonstrated significant improvements (p<0.01) in ADL, Sport, PCS, and MCS after cheilectomy. ADL and Sport scores met the MCID of 8 and 9 points, respectively. MCID is not well-defined for SF-36. One patient required subsequent fusion. Conclusion: Cheilectomy is an effective surgical option for improving function and pain in the setting of hallux rigidus, as measured at intermediate-term follow-up with validated patient outcome measures. Patients with a 1st MTP joint OCD become symptomatic at a younger age and with a lower radiographic grade of hallux rigidus. These patients demonstrate equivalent improvements in the FAAM sport, SF-36 PCS and MCS while trending towards greater improvement in the FAAM ADL score as those without OCDs. The presence and treatment of a 1st MTP joint OCD should be considered in younger patients with symptomatic hallux rigidus and lower radiographic severity