Participants were patients who had undergone an ankle arthroscopy, ankle arthrodesis, ankle ligament reconstruction or hallux valgus correction. All patients were operated at the UMCG. To determine validity, all 185 patients who underwent surgery between January 2007 and December 2010 were sent four questionnaires [FAOS, Foot Function Index (FFI), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and Short Form Health Survey (SF-36)] with an accompanying letter clarifying the purpose and procedure of the study and explaining that return of the questionnaire was taken as consent to participate. The FFI is a reliable patient-reported questionnaire measuring the impact of foot pathology on function and consists of 23 questions on pain, disability and activity restriction [11 (link)]. The WOMAC is a valid and reliable self-reported outcome measure for hip and knee osteoarthritis and consists of 24 items on pain, stiffness and function [12 (link),13 (link)]. In both the FFI and the WOMAC answers are given on a 5-point Likert scale. Total scores range from 0–100 on the FFI and from 0–96 on the WOMAC. All scores are recoded so that a higher score indicates less pain, disability and activity restriction (FFI) and less pain and stiffness and improved function (WOMAC). The SF-36 is a generic health-related quality of life questionnaire, consisting of 36 items divided into nine subscales [14 (link)]. All subscales range from 0–100, with a higher score indicating a better quality of life.
To determine repeatability, respondents were sent the FAOS a second time two to three weeks after completing the first questionnaire. To determine responsiveness of the Dutch FAOS, a separate group of 30 patients who were being treated for foot or ankle problems was sent the FAOS according to the same procedure. Five to six weeks later, participants were asked to complete the FAOS a second time.
Demographic information was retrieved from previous medical documentation of the patient. The study was approved by the Medical Ethical Board of the UMCG. The procedures followed were in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration of 1975, as revised in 2000.
To determine repeatability, respondents were sent the FAOS a second time two to three weeks after completing the first questionnaire. To determine responsiveness of the Dutch FAOS, a separate group of 30 patients who were being treated for foot or ankle problems was sent the FAOS according to the same procedure. Five to six weeks later, participants were asked to complete the FAOS a second time.
Demographic information was retrieved from previous medical documentation of the patient. The study was approved by the Medical Ethical Board of the UMCG. The procedures followed were in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration of 1975, as revised in 2000.
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