Introduction: There is an increasing need for orthopaedic practitioners to measure and collect patient-reported outcomes data. In an effort to better understand outcomes from operative treatment, the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) established the Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Outcomes Research (OFAR) Network, a national consortium of foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeons. We hypothesized that the OFAR Network could successfully collect, aggregate, and report patient-reported outcome (PRO) data using the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS).

Methods: Ten sites enrolled consecutive patients undergoing elective surgery for 1 of 6 foot/ankle disorders. Outcome instruments were collected preoperatively and at 6 months postoperatively using the PROMIS online system: Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM), Foot Function Index (FFI), and PROMIS physical function (PF) and pain computerized adaptive tests (CAT). During the 3-month period, 328 patients were enrolled; 249 (76%) had completed preoperative patient-reported outcomes data and procedure-specific data. Of these, 140 (56%) also completed 6-month postoperative patient- reported outcomes data.

Results: Ankle arthritis and flatfoot demonstrated consistently worse preoperative scores. Five of 6 disorders showed significant improvement at 6 months on PF CAT and FAAM, 4 of 6 showed improvement on pain interference CAT, and no disorders showed improvement on FFI. Ankle arthritis and flatfoot demonstrated the greatest magnitude of change on most patient-reported outcomes scales.

Conclusion: We were able to enroll large numbers of patients in a short enrollment period for this preliminary study. Data were easily aggregated and analyzed. Substantial loss of follow-up data indicates a critical area requiring further effort. The AOFAS OFAR Network is undergoing expansion with goals to ultimately facilitate large, prospective multicenter studies and optimize the quality and interpretation of available outcome instruments for the foot and ankle population.

Level Of Evidence: Level II, prospective comparative study.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1071100714544157DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

foot ankle
28
ofar network
16
orthopaedic foot
12
patient-reported outcomes
12
ankle
9
outcomes
9
ankle outcomes
8
outcomes ofar
8
outcomes data
8
reported outcomes
8

Similar Publications

The real rotational capacity of the human joints - the muscular and gravitational torques and the foot as a platform.

Acta Bioeng Biomech

September 2024

Jagiellonian University Medical College, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Bioinformatics and Telemedicine, Kraków, Poland.

The purpose was to answer what is the relationship between torques acting on the human body, how does the triceps calf muscle balance the weight of a tilted body and what is the foot's role in the titling body? Two research models were developed. Model 1 - the one-sided lever system consists of a flat bar with, an axis of rotation, used to determine the weight and torque at a given point on it. Model 2 - the two-sided lever system consists of a flat bar imitating a tilted body counteracted by the Achilles tendon, and a platform imitating a foot.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: The formation of heterotopic ossification (HO) is a common complication after transosseous partial foot amputation. Development of HO in weightbearing and/or superficial areas can lead to increased pressures, which increases the likelihood of wound formation and pain. Current treatment modalities for HO of the foot include mechanical off-loading and surgical resection; however, prophylactic measures such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, bisphosphonates, and other medical therapies have been attempted previously with mixed efficacy.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Tissue selective ultrasonic debridement is a new method of debriding chronic wounds that prepares the wound for advanced tissue application. This article presents the case of an 89-year-old woman with a chronic nonhealing wound to her lateral distal leg. The wound had a significant amount of biofilm and fibrous slough.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Total contact casting is the gold standard for plantar foot ulcers but has been questioned in heel pressure ulcers. Current offloading of heel ulcers is typically removable offloading boots. We describe using a modified posterior splint to offload heel ulcers in nonweightbearing patients.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Variations of the ankle anatomy are infrequent and exist as supernumerary muscles and tendons. Often understudied and overlooked, their presence can cause many complications of the lower extremity. These muscles, although often asymptomatic, can cause great pain and complications such as tenosynovitis, tarsal tunnel syndrome, lateral ankle instability, and ankle pain when they impinge on the normal anatomy of the patient.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!