The patient-reported Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOXFQ), with 3 dimensions (Walking/standing(W/S), Pain, Social interaction(SI)) has previously been validated in patients undergoing hallux valgus surgery. A preliminary cross-sectional evaluation of its measurement properties relating to surgery on different regions of the foot and ankle is presented here.

Within 4 weeks prior to foot or ankle surgery, 671of 764 consecutive eligible patients (87.8% response rate) were assessed with the: (i) MOXFQ questionnaire, (ii) SF-36 general health survey (iii) American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) scales. Sample characteristics: mean age 53 years 427 (63.6%) female. Patients were booked for (main) surgery on Hallux (210, 31.3%), Lesser Toes (119, 17.7%), Mid foot (22, 3.3%), Ankle/Hind foot (311, 46.3%) and whole foot/multiple regions (9, 1.3%)

MOXFQ item response rates were high (<2% missing on any one item) with responses generally well distributed across response categories. Item-total correlations within each dimension were generally above recommended levels. Internal consistency, as assessed by Cronbach's alpha, were 0.93, 0.84 and 0.71 for the W/S, Pain and SI dimensions, respectively. Within Hallux, Lesser toes and Ankle/hind foot surgical subgroups (low numbers precluded mid foot and whole/multiple region analyses), alphas for these subscales were similar. Convergent validity of MOXFQ was demonstrated by correlations between the 3 dimensions (W/S, Pain, SI) with similar dimensions of the SF-36 and relevant AOFAS scales. A priori hypotheses were generally supported.

The MOXFQ demonstrates good baseline measurement properties in patients undergoing a range of foot and ankle surgery, suggesting its suitability as an outcome measure for clinical trials of foot and ankle surgery in general. The SI dimension, concerned with cosmesis and social participation has somewhat weaker properties but remains useful. Evidence for the MOXFQ's responsiveness across the range of foot and ankle surgery is yet to be assessed.

Aims. To describe outcome reporting variation and trends in non-pharmacological randomized clinical trials (RCTs) of distal tibia and/or ankle fractures. Methods. Five electronic databases and three clinical trial registries were searched (January 2000 to February 2022). Trials including patients with distal tibia and/or ankle fractures without concomitant injuries were included. One reviewer conducted all searches, screened titles and abstracts, assessed eligibility, and completed data extraction; a random 10% subset were independently assessed and extracted by a second reviewer at each stage. All extracted outcomes were mapped to a modified version of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health framework. The quality of outcome reporting (reproducibility) was assessed. Results. Overall, 105 trials (n = 16 to 669 participants) from 27 countries were included. Trials compared surgical interventions (n = 62), post-surgical management options (n = 17), rehabilitative interventions (n = 14), surgical versus non-surgical interventions (n = 6), and pre-surgical management strategies (n = 5). In total, 888 outcome assessments were reported across seven domains: 263 assessed body structure or function (85.7% of trials), 136 activities (68.6% of trials), 34 participation (23.8% of trials), 159 health-related quality of life (61.9% of trials), 247 processes of care (80% of trials), 21 patient experiences (15.2% of trials), and 28 economic impact (8.6% of trials). From these, 337 discrete outcomes were described. Outcome reporting was inconsistent across trials. The quality of reporting varied widely (reproducibility ranged 4.8% patient experience to 100% complications). Conclusion. Substantial heterogeneity in outcome selection, assessment methods, and reporting quality were described. Despite the large number of outcomes, few are reported across multiple trials. Most outcomes are clinically focused, with little attention to the long-term consequences important to patients. Poor reporting quality reduces confidence in data quality, inhibiting data synthesis by which to inform care decisions. Outcome reporting guidance and standardization, which captures the outcomes that matter to multiple stakeholders, are urgently required. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2022;3(10):832–840

Aims

When a total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) fails, it can be converted to a fusion or a revision arthroplasty. Despite the increasing numbers of TAAs being undertaken, there is little information in the literature about the management of patients undergoing fusion following a failed TAA. The primary aim of this study was to analyze the survival of fusions following a failed TAA using a large dataset from the National Joint Registry (NJR).

Aims

Despite the increasing numbers of ankle arthroplasties, there are limited studies on their survival and comparisons between different implants. The primary aim of this study was to determine the failure rates of primary ankle arthroplasties commonly used in the UK.

Aims

A pilon fracture is a severe ankle joint injury caused by high-energy trauma, typically affecting men of working age. Although relatively uncommon (5% to 7% of all tibial fractures), this injury causes among the worst functional and health outcomes of any skeletal injury, with a high risk of serious complications and long-term disability, and with devastating consequences on patients’ quality of life and financial prospects. Robust evidence to guide treatment is currently lacking. This study aims to evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of two surgical interventions that are most commonly used to treat pilon fractures.

Aims

Patients with diabetes are at increased risk of wound complications after open reduction and internal fixation of unstable ankle fractures. A fibular nail avoids large surgical incisions and allows anatomical reduction of the mortise.