Validation of Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) and the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) in individuals with chronic ankle instability: a cross-sectional observational study

The minimal important change is not a universal fixed value across diagnoses when using the FAOS and FAAM in patients undergoing elective foot and ankle surgery

PURPOSE

This study aimed to calculate region and diagnosis-specific minimal important changes (MICs) of the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) and the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) in patients requiring foot and ankle surgery and to assess their variability across different foot and ankle diagnoses.

METHODS

The study used routinely collected data from patients undergoing elective foot and ankle surgery. Patients had been invited to complete the FAOS and FAAM preoperatively and at 3-6 months after surgery, along with two anchor questions encompassing change in pain and daily function. Patients were categorised according to region of pathology and subsequent diagnoses. MICs were calculated using predictive modelling (MICPRED) and receiver operating characteristic curve (MICROC) method and evaluated according to strict credibility criteria.

RESULTS

Substantial variability of the MICs between forefoot and ankle/hindfoot region was observed, as well as among specific foot and ankle diagnoses, with MICPRED and MICROC values ranging from 7.8 to 25.5 points and 9.4 to 27.8, respectively. Despite differences between MICROC and MICPRED estimates, both calculation methods exhibited largely consistent patterns of variation across subgroups, with forefoot conditions systematically showing smaller MICs than ankle/hindfoot conditions. Most MICs demonstrated high credibility; however, the majority of the MICs for the FAOS symptoms subscale and forefoot conditions exhibited insufficient or low credibility.

CONCLUSION

The MICs of the FAOS and FAAM vary across foot and ankle diagnoses in patients undergoing elective foot and ankle surgery and should not be used as a universal fixed value, but recognised as contextual parameters. This can help clinicians and researchers in more accurate interpretation of the FAOS and FAAM change scores.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV.

Better outcomes using suture button compared to screw fixation in talofibular syndesmotic injuries of the ankle: a level I evidence-based meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

The present meta-analysis evaluated current level I clinical trials which compared the use of a suture button (SB) versus syndesmotic screw (SS) fixation techniques for syndesmosis injuries of the ankle. The outcomes of interest were to compare patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and complications. It was hypothesised that SB might achieve better PROMs along with a lower rate of complications.

METHODS

This study was conducted according to the 2020 PRISMA statement. In August 2023, PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Embase were accessed. All the randomised controlled trials (RCTs) which compared SB versus SS fixation for syndesmosis injuries of the ankle were accessed. Data concerning the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS), and Olerud-Molander score (OMS) were collected at baseline and at last follow-up. Data on implant failure, implant removal, and joint malreduction were also retrieved.

RESULTS

Data from seven RCTs (490 patients) were collected. 33% (161 of 490) were women. The mean length of the follow-up was 30.8 ± 27.4 months. The mean age of the patients was 41.1 ± 4.1 years. Between the two groups (SB and SS), comparability was found in the mean age, and men:women ratio. The SS group evidenced lower OMS (P = 0.0006) and lower AOFAS (P = 0.03). The SS group evidenced a greater rate of implant failure (P = 0.0003), implant removal (P = 0.0005), and malreduction (P = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

Suture button fixation might perform better than the syndesmotic screw fixation in syndesmotic injuries of the ankle.

Cross cultural adaptation, reliability and validity of the Polish version of the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool

Purpose: The aim of this study was to develop a Polish version of the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT-PL) questionnaire and perform CAIT-PL cultural adaptation with assessment of its psychometric properties.Methods: The original CAIT was translated into the Polish language using standard guidelines. The CAIT-PL was completed on 2 occasions by 105 participants both with and without a history of ankle sprains. Psychometric evaluation of CAIT-PL included an assessment of internal consistency, test-retest reliability, standard error of measurement, convergent and construct validity.Results: The CAIT-PL was successfully translated and adapted into Polish culture with satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.83) and adequate test-retest reliability resulting in ICC2,1 = 0.89 (95% CI: 0.84-0.92). Measurement error was low (SEM = 0.76 and MDC = 2.10). Convergent validity of the CAIT-PL ranged from weak to strong using Spearman's correlation coefficient between CAIT-PL and FAOS subscales (r = 0.39-0.67; p < 0.05). Construct validity was confirmed.Conclusion: The Polish version of the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool is a valid and reliable questionnaire for assessment of functional ankle instability among the Polish population.

Exploring the interplay between ankle muscle strength, postural control, and pain intensity in chronic ankle instability: A comprehensive analysis

Background

Chronic Ankle Instability (CAI) is a common musculoskeletal condition characterized by recurring ankle sprains and impaired postural control (PC). Understanding the relationship between ankle muscle strength, PC, and the role of pain is essential for effective management.

Objectives

This prospective cross sectional study aimed to 1. Compare ankle isometric muscle strength (IMS) and PC between CAI and asymptomatic sides. 2. Assess the correlations between ankle IMS and PC and explore the potential mediating effect of pain in individuals with CAI.

Methods

A total of 44 individuals with CAI, were enrolled in the study. Ankle IMS (dorsiflexors, plantar flexors, invertors, and evertors) was measured using a dynamometer, while PC was evaluated using sway parameters (anterior-posterior and medial-lateral sway, ellipse area). Pain levels were reported using a Visual Analog Scale.

Results

The CAI ankles exhibited significantly lower ankle IMS in all muscle groups compared to the asymptomatic ankles (p < 0.001). Additionally, the CAI side showed increased postural sway and a larger ellipse area (p < 0.001), indicating reduced PC. Negative correlations were observed between ankle IMS and PC parameters on the CAI side, with dorsiflexor strength showing correlations ranging from -0.423 to -0.387, plantar flexor strength ranging from -0.423 to -0.371, invertor strength ranging from -0.412 to -0.238, and evertor strength ranging from -0.451 to -0.365 (p < 0.001). Mediation analysis revealed that pain played a significant mediating role in connecting ankle IMS and PC parameters among individuals with CAI, with statistical significance (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Individuals with CAI exhibit weaker ankle IMS and diminished PC in comparison to their healthy side. Moreover, pain was identified as a mediator in the relationship between ankle IMS and PC in CAI. These findings underscore the importance of addressing both ankle IMS and pain in the rehabilitation and management of CAI.

Injury severity at the time of sport-related ankle sprain is associated with symptoms and quality of life in young adults after 3-15 years

BACKGROUND

Ankle sprains are the most common sports-related injuries. Individuals with time-loss ankle sprains often experience residual symptoms and chronic ankle instability years after injury. Up to 90% of post-traumatic ankle osteoarthritis cases are associated with severe ankle sprain. This study aimed to examine whether ankle injury severity sustained during youth sports participation is associated with ankle symptoms and function.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cohort study included 50 young adults (mean age, 23 years) with a 3-to 15-year history of a youth-sport related 'significant ankle sprain' (SAS). The primary independent variable was injury severity, which was captured in the index SAS injury details through interviews. SAS was defined as ligament and other intra/extra-articular structure injuries that disrupted youth sport participation, at least 3 days of time loss, and required medical consultation. Severe SAS was defined as SAS involving >28 days of time loss, and non-severe SAS only involved ankle ligaments and/or with ≤28 days of time loss. The Foot and Ankle Outcome Score questionnaire was used to assess ankle symptoms and function. Descriptive statistics and multivariable linear regression models were used to examine the association between SAS severity and outcomes, with sex and time since injury as covariates.

RESULTS

Compared to participants with non-severe SAS, participants with a history of severe SAS demonstrated significantly poorer outcomes in symptoms [-18.4 (99% CI: -32.2 to -4.6)], pain [-10.1 (99% CI: -19.2 to -1.1)] and QoL [-17.1 (99% CI: -33.1 to -1.1)] in multivariable linear regression models.

CONCLUSIONS

Severe ankle sprain with a loss of > 4 weeks from sports participation at the time of injury is independently associated with poorer ankle symptoms, pain, and ankle-related quality of life after 3-15 years. Secondary prevention measures are needed in individuals with a history of severe ankle sprains to mitigate the potential health consequences.

Cross-cultural adaptation, reliability, and validity of the Turkish version of the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool

OBJECTIVES

The objective of the study was to cross-culturally adapt and assess the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the CAIT (CAIT-TR).

METHODS

The CAIT was translated and adapted into Turkish according to accepted cross-cultural adaptation guidelines of self-reported measures. A total of 130 individuals, including healthy participants (n = 40) and with chronic ankle instability (CAI) (n = 90), were recruited in this study. The internal consistency and test-retest reliability of the CAIT-TR were assessed using Cronbach's alpha and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), respectively. To assess convergent validity, hypotheses were tested regarding expected correlations between CAIT-TR, Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) subscales, and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Discriminative validity was evaluated with the hypothesis that the CAIT-TR can distinguish between subjects with and without CAI and also calculated a cut-off score for CAI. The dimensional structure of the CAIT-TR was investigated with confirmatory factor analysis. Additionally, minimal detectable change (MDC), floor/ceiling effects, and measurement error values were determined.

RESULTS

The CAIT-TR demonstrated high Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.854) and test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.919). Regarding convergent validity, the CAIT-TR exhibited a moderate-strong correlation with both the FAOS and VAS. The confirmatory factor analysis supported the unidimensional structure of the questionnaire. The identified cut-off value for the CAIT-TR was 25, and the MDC for individual-level CAIT-TR scores was determined to be 1.87. No floor or ceiling effects were observed.

CONCLUSION

The CAIT-TR is a valid and reliable questionnaire for the assessment of ankle instability within the Turkish population.

Description of the Simple Ankle Value: A Simplified Patient-Reported Outcome Measure for the Assessment of Ankle and Hindfoot Function

Background

The Simple Ankle Value (SAV) is a patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) in which patients grade their ankle function as a percentage of that of their contralateral uninjured ankle.

Purpose/Hypothesis

The primary aims of this study were to validate the SAV and evaluate its correlation with other PROMs. It was hypothesized that the SAV would be seen as a valid score that provides results comparable with those of the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) and the European Foot & Ankle Society (EFAS) score.

Study Design

Cohort study (Diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2.

Methods

Patients seen for an ankle or hindfoot tissue were divided into those treated operatively and nonoperatively. A control group of patients treated for issues outside of the foot and ankle was also created. All patients completed the SAV followed by the FAAM and the EFAS scores. Patients treated operatively completed the questionnaires before surgery and 3 months after surgery. Patients treated nonoperatively completed the questionnaires twice 15 days apart. The correlation between the SAV score, the FAAM score, and the EFAS score was estimated with the Spearman correlation coefficient.

Results

A total of 209 patients (79 in the operative group, 103 in the nonoperative group, and 27 in the control group) were asked to complete the questionnaire, and all were included. The test-retest reliability of the SAV was excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.88-0.94). No ceiling or floor effect was reported. Strong correlation was found between the SAV and the FAAM and EFAS scores. The SAV was able to discriminate patients from controls (54.18 ± 21.22 and 93.52 ± 9.589; P < .0001); however, SAV was not able to detect change from preoperative to 3 months postoperative (from 54.18 ± 21.22 to 62.53 ± 20.83; P = .44).

Conclusion

Our study suggests that the SAV is correlated with existing accepted ankle PROMs. Further work with this PROM is needed to validate the questionnaire.

Systematic review of the methodological quality of patient-reported outcome measure for patients with chronic ankle instability

OBJETIVE

Chronic ankle instability is generally associated with ankle sprain. Its consequences can be measured by means of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). The aim of this review is to identify the PROMs specifically available for chronic ankle instability and to evaluate their methodological quality and that of the cross-cultural adaptations made.

DATA SOURCES

Papers were retrieved from PubMed, Embase, Scopus and Google Scholar databases, with no time limit applied, based on the following inclusion criteria: (1) type of participants: patients with chronic ankle instability, over 18 years of age; (2)type of study: those specifically focused on this pathology, using PROMs specific to chronic ankle instability and published in English; (3) type of outcome: measurement properties based on COSMIN criteria in patient-reported outcomes associated with chronic ankle instability.

METHODS

This systematic review, following the COSMIN checklist, was conducted to determine the methodological quality of PROMs specific to foot and ankle pathologies, for patients presenting chronic ankle instability.

RESULTS

Of the 576 studies identified in the initial search, 34 were included in the final analysis of measurement properties. Four - the Ankle Instability Instrument, the Chronic Ankle Instability Scale, the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool and the Identification of Functional Ankle Instability - were original questionnaires, and the remaining 30 were cross-cultural adaptations.

CONCLUSION

The Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool and the Identification of Functional Ankle Instability questionnaires can be useful instruments for evaluating chronic ankle instability, both in patients with this condition and also in non-pathological patients.

The effect of Tuina based on the concept of hip-knee-ankle conjugation in patients with chronic ankle instability: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background

Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is a common sports injury disease and characterized by limited mobility, perceived instability and muscle weakness, combined treatment of hip-knee-ankle is a common rehabilitation method. Tuina, as a traditional Chinese manual therapy, is usually used for CAI, but many of them only focus on the local ankle joint rather than the combination of hip and knee joint. Therefore, we have designed a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to investigate the effects of Tuina base on the concept of hip-knee-ankle conjugation on the stability and balance of lower limbs and ankle function in patients with CAI.

Methods

We have designed a randomized controlled trial. A total of 72 participants with CAI will be randomly divided into functional training groups and hip-knee-ankle Tuina combined with functional training group in a 1:1 ratio. Participants in control group will receive 8 sessions of functional training (30 min per session, twice a week for 4 weeks). Participants in intervention group will receive 8 sessions of Tuina combined with functional training (twice a week for 4 weeks). The primary outcomes include the Y-Balance Test (YBT) and Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT). The Secondary outcomes include the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) and ankle range of motion (ROM). The outcome assessments will be conducted before the first intervention and after the last intervention.

Discussion

The aim of this study is to explore a safe and effective manipulation program and serve as reference for clinical treatment of CAI and expect to provide the necessary theoretical and practical support to our future research.

Clinical Trial Registration

Chinese Clinical Trail Registry ChiCTR2300068274.

Lateral Talar Subluxation Measurements in Nonoperatively Managed Weber B Ankle Fractures

Background

Lateral talar subluxation (LTS) was introduced as a measurement tool for evaluating isolated Weber B ankle fractures, with LTS >4 mm on gravity stress (GS) radiographs possibly indicating need for surgery. This study reviews LTS measurements in nonoperatively managed isolated Weber B fibula fractures to further investigate the validity of this previously stated cutoff.

Methods

The senior authors previously reported outcomes of a novel algorithm for nonoperative management of isolated Weber B ankle fractures. Outcome scores reported include American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) hindfoot, Olerud-Molander (OMA), Foot and Ankle Ability Measure for activities of daily living (FAAM/ADL), and visual analog scale (VAS) scores. All patients achieved union of their fracture. LTS was measured on GS radiographs of both injured and contralateral uninjured extremities.

Results

Forty-two patients were included with minimum 1-year follow-up. Average age was 49 years (range 19-72). Mean measurements on injury GS radiographs were as follows: medial clear space (MCS) 4.45 mm (SD = 0.93), superior clear space (SCS) 3.46 mm (SD = 0.70), and LTS 2.33 mm (SD = 1.57, range 0-4.7 mm), with 35 (83.3%) patients having injury LTS ≤4 mm. Mean measurements on contralateral (uninjured) GS radiographs were as follows: MCS 3.39 mm (SD = 0.63), SCS 3.15 mm (SD = 0.50), and LTS 1.30 mm (SD = 1.28, range 0-4.8 mm). There was no statistically significant difference in all outcome measures based on amount of LTS (<2 mm, 2-4 mm, >4 mm).

Conclusion

Most patients had injury LTS ≤4 mm, although those with LTS >4 mm had excellent outcome scores. LTS measurements on normal ankles reveal a large range. LTS may be a useful adjunct in evaluating isolated Weber B ankle fractures but the 4-mm cutoff may not be entirely reliable. Further studies are required to validate LTS as a decision-making tool.

Level of Evidence

Level IV, case series.

Impairment-based assessments for patients with lateral ankle sprain: A systematic review of measurement properties

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The International Ankle Consortium developed a core outcome set for the assessment of impairments in patients with lateral ankle sprain (LAS) without consideration of measurement properties (MP). Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate MPs of assessments for the evaluation of individuals with a history of LAS.

METHODS

This systematic review of measurement properties follows PRISMA and COSMIN guidelines. Databases Pubmed, CINAHL, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and SPORTDiscus were searched for eligible studies (last search: July 2022). Studies on MP of specific tests and patient-reported outcome measurements (PROMs) in patients with acute and history of LAS (>4 weeks post injury) were deemed eligible.

RESULTS

Ten studies of acute LAS and 39 studies of history of LAS patients with a total of 3313 participants met the inclusion criteria. Anterior Drawer Test (ADT) in supine position five days post injury and Reverse Anterolateral Drawer Test are recommended in acute settings in single studies. In the history of LAS patients, Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) (4 studies) as a PROM, Multiple Hop (3 studies) and Star Excursion Balance Tests (SEBT) (3 studies) for dynamic postural balance testing showed good MPs. No studies investigated pain, physical activity level and gait. Only single studies reported on swelling, range of motion, strength, arthrokinematics, and static postural balance. Limited data existed on responsiveness of the tests in both subgroups.

CONCLUSION

There was good evidence to support the use of CAIT as PROM, Multiple Hop, and SEBT for dynamic postural balance testing. Insufficient evidence exists in relation to test responsiveness, especially in the acute situation. Future research should assess MPs of assessments of other impairments associated with LAS.

One double-loaded suture anchor is sufficient for all-inside arthroscopic anterior talofibular ligament repair

PURPOSE

All-inside anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) repair using anchors is frequently used to manage chronic lateral ankle instability (CLAI) with satisfactory functional outcomes. It remains unclear whether there are differences in the functional results between the use of one or two double-loaded anchors.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included 59 CLAI patients who underwent an all-inside arthroscopic ATFL repair procedure from 2017 to 2019. Patients were divided into two groups according to the number of anchors used. In the one-anchor group (n = 32), the ATFL was repaired with one double-loaded suture anchor. In the two-anchors group (n = 27), the ATFL was repaired with two double-loaded suture anchors. At the last follow-up time point, the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores, American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores, Karlsson Ankle Function Score (KAFS), Anterior Talar Translation (ATT), Active Joint Position Sense (AJPS), and the rate of return to sports in both groups were compared.

RESULTS

All the patients were followed up for at least 24 months. Improvement in the functional results (VAS, AOFAS, KAFS, ATT, and AJPS) were recorded at the final follow-up time point. No significant differences were observed regarding VAS, AOFAS, KAFS, ATT, and AJPS between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

In patients with CLAI undergoing all-inside arthroscopic ATFL repair, the use of either one or two double-loaded suture anchors produces comparable and predictably good functional outcomes.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

Radiographic and Clinical Outcomes After Arthroscopic Microfracture for Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus: 5-Year Results in 355 Consecutive Ankles

Background:

Arthroscopic microfracture for osteochondral lesion of the talus (OLT) has shown good functional outcomes in the short and long term.

Purpose:

To investigate 5-year radiographic and clinical outcomes after arthroscopic microfracture in treatment of OLT and the effectiveness of adjunct therapies including platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and hyaluronic acid (HA).

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.

Methods:

We prospectively enrolled 432 patients who underwent arthroscopic microfracture for OLT from May 1, 2011, to May 31, 2015. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and weightbearing radiographs were performed annually after the initial surgery. The MOCART (magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue) score was used to evaluate the structure of the repaired cartilage on MRI, and patient-reported outcomes (American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot scale [AOFAS] and the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score) were collected annually. The primary outcome measure was 5-year AOFAS score. We recorded baseline characteristics including age, body mass index (BMI), and lesion size, and other potentially related factors including number of PRP/HA injection and change in BMI from baseline.

Results:

Included were 355 patients, all with minimum 5-year follow-up data. The overall reoperation rate was 9.0% (32 of 355). According to multivariable analysis, 5-year AOFAS scores were associated with number of PRP injections (correlation coefficient, 3.12 [95% CI, 2.36 to 3.89]; P < .001), BMI at baseline (correlation coefficient, -0.222 [95% CI, -0.363 to -0.082]; P = .002), and mean BMI change from baseline (correlation coefficient, -1.15 [95% CI, -1.32 to -0.98]; P < .001). When comparing number of PRP injections (0, 1-2, or ≥3), we found that patients who had serial PRP injection (≥3 with at least a 3-month interval between injections) had diminished functional and radiographic deterioration over time.

Conclusion:

Arthroscopic microfracture improved patient-reported and structural outcomes for patients with OLT at 5 years after surgery. Serial PRP injections and reduction in BMI from baseline were able to slow radiographic and functional deterioration. Future trials regarding the combination of microfracture and PRP in treatment of OLT should focus on the efficacy of longer term, intra-articular, serial injections of PRP instead of single injections.

Kinetic Effects of 6 Weeks' Pilates or Balance Training in College Soccer Players with Chronic Ankle Instability

Lateral ankle sprain (LAS) is a common sports injury that frequently occurs in active individuals. LAS is characterized by a high recurrence rate, with a large proportion of patients progressing to chronic ankle instability (CAI). Pilates exercises have provided positive results in health care and in rehabilitation. This study compared Pilates training (PT) with traditional balance training (BT) in patients with CAI. Fifty-one college football players with CAI, divided into PT (n = 26) and BT (n = 25) groups, were included in the study. The groups performed PT or BT training as assigned, three times per week for 6 weeks. Isokinetic ankle strength, one-leg hop tests, Y-balance test (YBT), and foot and ankle outcome score (FAOS) were evaluated before and after training. There were considerable improvements in both the PT and BT groups after training. Group and time comparisons revealed that the PT group achieved better triple hop test results than the BT group, whereas the BT group exhibited a greater improvement in YBT posteromedial and posterolateral reach distances. In athletes with CAI, both PT and BT effectively improved symptoms and function. These findings suggest that ankle strength, balance, and core stability should be comprehensively evaluated and targeted in CAI rehabilitation programs.

Current concepts in the surgical management of chronic ankle lateral ligament instability

Background/aims

Ankle sprains are common injuries which can lead to chronic lateral ankle ligament instability (CAI).

Methods

The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the epidemiology, pathophysiology, investigation, surgical management and rehabilitation of CAI.

Results

Investigation of CAI is based on history, clinical examination, and imaging. Surgical management of CAI can be defined as anatomic reconstruction, anatomic and non anatomic repair of ATFL and/or CFL. Anatomic repair has been shown to have better functional outcomes and less secondary osteoarthritis when compared to non anatomic repair. Non-anatomic methods do not replicate the normal anatomical course of ATFL/CFL and may lead to stiffness. The most common surgical treatment for CAI is the open modified Broström repair augmented with the Gould modification. There are arthroscopic techniques being developed which have reported promising clinical results. However, there are considerable areas of further research which should be carried out to improve understanding and effectiveness of current treatment options. Standardised validated patient reported outcome measures and evidence-based protocols in the rehabilitation periods are crucial for positive and reproducible outcomes.

Conclusion

Surgical repair has proven to show excellent outcomes for patients suffering from CAI, however larger prospective studies should be carried out to evaluate the use of newer surgical techniques.

Foot Function Index for Arabic-speaking patients (FFI-Ar): translation, cross-cultural adaptation and validation study

BACKGROUND

Foot Function Index (FFI) is a valid and reliable outcome measure, which is widely used to measure the foot and ankle functional level and disorders. Until now, no validated Arabic version of the FFI is available. This study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The purpose of this project was to translate and adapt the FFI into Arabic and to evaluate its psychometric properties of validity and reliability.

METHODS

The study consisted of two phases. The first phase was the translation and cultural adaptation of the FFI to Arabic. The next phase involved, testing the psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the FFI on a sample of 50 consecutive participants which included internal consistency, test-retest reliability, floor and ceiling effects and construct validity.

RESULTS

The mean age of the study participants was 38 ± 12.94 years. Both the genders were evenly enrolled with 50% of the participants as male and 50% as female. Majority of them complained of plantar fasciopathy (32%) followed by pes planus (22%) and ankle sprain (18%). The scores of FFI-Ar were normally distributed, confirmed by a significant Shapiro-Wilk test. The mean value of FFI-Ar total score was 47.73 ± 19.85. There were no floor or ceiling effects seen in any of the subscales and total score. The internal consistency was good with the Cronbach's alpha value of 0.882, 0.936 and 0.850 for the pain, disability and activity limitation subscales, respectively. The reproducibility of the FFI-Ar was analysed by intra-class correlation coefficient which revealed good to excellent test-retest reliability. A significant correlation was found between FFI-Ar and SF-36 and numeric rating scale (NRS) confirming its construct validity.

CONCLUSION

The FFI-Arabic version showed good validity and reliability in patients with foot and ankle problems. This tool can be used in usual practice and research for analysing foot and ankle disorders in Arabic-speaking people.

Sex differences in the relationship of hip strength and functional performance to chronic ankle instability scores

Background

While decreased hip abductor strength, functional performance, and self-reported instability scores have all been shown in association with CAI, any sex difference in the relationship between these indicators is unclear. This study was to determine whether sex differences are present in the relationship between these indicators in individuals with CAI.

Methods

Thirty-two women and twenty-nine men with unilateral CAI took part. Hip abductor strength and functional performance were respectively assessed using a hand-held dynamometer and the figure-8-hop test. All 61 participants scored the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) for self-reported ankle instability. Independent sample t-tests and correlation analysis were conducted.

Results

Normalized hip abductor strength and functional performance measures for females were lower than for males. The self-reported ankle instability CAIT score, where higher values represent less instability, was significantly and positively correlated with both normalized hip abductor strength (p = 0.003) and functional performance (p = 0.001) on the affected side in females, but not in males (p = 0.361 and p = 0.192 respectively).

Conclusions

Sex differences were observed in that there were significant relationships between normalized hip abductor strength, functional performance, and CAIT scores in female CAI participants, but not males, suggesting that CAI evaluation and rehabilitation strategies should be sex-specific.

Highlights

In females with CAI, hip abductor strength and functional performance showed significant relationships with self-reported instability scores.

Correspondingly, in clinical practice with individuals with CAI, evaluation criteria may be formulated according to these observed sex differences.

Sex differences should be factored into the evaluation and treatment of CAI individuals.

Hip strength assessment should be employed with CAI individuals.

Hip strengthening and functional hopping may be recommended for the rehabilitation of CAI, especially in female patients.