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Orthopedic Research Online Journal

Investigating How the Degree of Radiological Correction Corresponds to Patient Reported Outcomes in Scarf Osteotomy

Karam Ahmad1* and Anand Pillai2

1Imperial College NHS Trust, UK

2University Hospital of South Manchester, UK

*Corresponding author: Karam Ahmad, Imperial College NHS Trust, Praed St, London, UK

Submission: October 02, 2017;Published: June 13, 2018

DOI: 10.31031/OPROJ.2018.03.000557

ISSN 2576-8875
Volume3 Issue2

Abstract

Background: Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are important in modern healthcare systems. Previous studies on PROMs in halluxvalgus (HV) surgery show positive outcomes. We investigated the relationship between radiological correction and PROMs in hallux-valgus surgery.

Patients and methods: A total of 350 patients underwent foot and ankle surgery and signed up to the PROMS 2.0 scheme. 97 patients provided complete pre-operative and post-operative data of which 40 had undergone scarf osteotomy and fitted in to selection criteria. Data collection was performed using the Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOxFQ). Radiological measurements (HVA-hallux-valgus angle and IMTA- Intermetatarsal angle) were calculated by two independent blinded foot and ankle surgeons on PACS. A comparative analysis was done between degree of radiological correction and pre-/post-op PROMs. Statistical tests were carried out using IBM-SPSS Statistics (V19).

Results: 40 patients included with female predominance, equal side distribution and no bilateral procedures. Average age at time of surgery- 60.7 years (Range 29-88). Mean pre-op MOxFQ=52.9 (12.0-100.0), mean post-op MOxFQ=23.6 (0-91.3) and mean improvement in MOxFQ=29.4 (-18.7-73.3) p<0.05. HVA- average pre-op angle=34.97° (13.20°-57.00), average post-op angle=15.01° (2.00-39.10). Mean HV correction angle=19.97(3.20-47.50). There was statistically significant correlation between pre-op/post-op HVA measurements and pre-op/post-op PROMS values respectively (p<0.05). There was direct correlation between HVA correction and improvement in PROMS

For IMTA, average pre-op angle=17.38° (10.40-27.60), average post-op angle=12.09° (6.00-21.10). Mean IMTA Correction=5.29(0.20-15.80). There was statistically significant correlation between pre-op/post-op IMTA measurements and pre-op/post-op PROMS values respectively (p< 0.05). There was direct correlation between IMTA correction and improvement in PROMS.

Conclusion: Hallux-valgus surgery is an effective procedure with high PROMS. There is a positive correlation between PROMS and degree of deformity. As HVA/IMTA increase, PROMs decrease. As HVA and IMTA correction increases, PROMs improves. Better surgical correction leads to better PROMS.

Keywords: PROMs; Foot and ankle; Hallux valgus; Scarf osteotomy; Hallux valgus angle; Inter-metatarsal angle

Introduction

Patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) form a fundamental basis of 21st century health care systems. It is a Department of Health (DoH) based national requirement to collect PROMs [1]. PROMs allow us to take another perspective on surgical outcomes. They can be used both alongside and comparatively with more objective perspectives [2]. PROMs allow us to move towards a more patient centric healthcare service.

Scarf osteotomy has been known to produce very good outcomes in treating hallux valgus [3]. Previous studies show that PROMs are very positive. With a higher satisfaction in older age groups and a slightly superior improvement in male patients [4]. Objectively, scarf osteotomy is often described as safe, giving better aesthetic and functional results than other options for hallux valgus treatment. It is also associated with early recovery and return to work [5].

We look to investigate the relationship between PROMs and correction angles in hallux valgus patients undergoing scarf osteotomy. PROMs will be assessed using the Manchester- Oxford foot questionnaire, a 16-item patient reported outcome-measuring tool. This has been validated for use in foot and ankle surgery [6]. We used hallux valgus angles, and inter-metatarsal angles to determine the relationship between correction angles and patient reported outcome improvement.

Patients and Methods

This is a prospective study looking at patients presenting with symptomatic hallux valgus. Patients reported their outcomes using a semi-automated email based system- Amplitude™. Patients were signed up to the PROMs2.0 scheme, which was set up at various trusts across the North West of England. Patients undergoing foot and ankle procedures were asked to participate at their preop appointments. Once signed up, they would be included in the study, and sent prompts at regular intervals, pre-operatively, and post op 6months to fill in the above questionnaires. The method of communication was by email.

Inclusion criteria- Patients were required to be fit for general anesthesia, and must have returned pre-operative, and post operative questionnaires. Overall we had 350 patients who took part in the PROMs2.0 study. This consisted of various foot and ankle procedures, 97 patients responded out of the 350 with preoperative and post operative PROMs data (27.7% participation). Of this 97, 40 patients had undergone scarf osteotomy and these were the patients who were included in this study. Therefore they were not consecutive cases. There was no power calculations involved.

All procedures were part of a single unit series done between 3 fellowship trained foot and ankle surgeons. Surgery was performed as a day case procedure. All patients had GA with a local block. This was a medial approached standard procedure with soft tissue release via a separate interspace incision of 1.5cms. Prophylactic antibiotics were given in accordance with the local anti-microbial policy. Weight bearing was allowed post operatively in a heel wedge shoe (DARCO) and all patients were seen at 2 weeks post op for a wound check. At this point patients were advised to maintain active foot and ankle movement. At six weeks physiotherapy was commenced for patients based on radiological and clinical evidence of healing. Regular follow up occurred at intervals of 3, 6 and 12 months (part of study protocol)

Hallux valgus and inter-metatarsal angles were calculated by two independent blinded foot and ankle surgeons on PACs. Based on average pre-operative HV/IMT angles and average post-operative HV/IMT angles- a correction angle was calculated. Comparative analysis was done based upon these correction angles and changes in PROMs.

Statistical tests carried out were done using the program IBM SPSS Statistics (2015) IBM, New York. A p value of 0.05 was considered to be significant giving us 95% confidence limits in our data. We used T-tests to assess the two independent data sets.

Results

40 patients underwent the procedure; 21 were right sided, and 19 left. There were 35 Female and 5 male patients. Average age was 60.7 years (range 29-88yrs). There were no bilateral procedures in our cohort. With regards to HV angles, the average pre-operative angle was 34.97° with a range of 13.2-57.0°. Average post-operative angle was 15.01° with a range of 2.00-39.10°. Average correction angle was 19.97° with a range of 3.20 to 47.50°.

With regards to IMT angles, the average pre-operative angle was 17.38° with a range of 10.40-27.60°. Average post-operative angle was 12.09° with a range of 6.00-21.10°. Average correction angle was 5.29° with a range of 0.20 to 15.80°. PROMs results were as follows- the average pre-operative MOxFQ was 52.9 with a range of 12.0 to 100.0. Average post-operative MOxFQ was 23.6 with a range of 0.0-91.3. Average change in MOxFQ was 29.4 with a range of -18.7 to 73.3. The raw results are tabulated in Table 1 & 2, and graphical representation of corresponding data in Figure 1-3.

Figure 1:


Figure 2:


Table 1


Table 2


Discussion

PROMs developed in 2009 [1], as part of a department of health initiative become especially important where survival is not as important as is quality of life. Our study in 2015, presented at BOFAS, showed that hallux valgus is an effective procedure, providing good outcomes [4].

PROMs developed in 2009 [1], as part of a department of health initiative become especially important where survival is not as important as is quality of life. Our study in 2015, presented at BOFAS, showed that hallux valgus is an effective procedure, providing good outcomes [4].

Our studies suggest that trends exist between degree of deformity and PROMs. We have found that as the level of preop deformity increased, the level of patient function/outcomes worsened. This shows a direct correlation between amount of deformity and functional scores. A correlation, which is statistically significant.

Furthermore, our results suggest that as the degree of correction increases, the patient reported outcome scores also improve. This is the first study, which shows that the amount of surgical correction achieved- measured using radiological parameters, translates to real time functional improvement. This is evidenced in our independent PROMs data collection. These results enable us to assess how degree of deformity can impact patient reported outcomes. It suggests that the greatest correction, leading to the most anatomically correct positioning leads to the greatest satisfaction amongst patients.

The limitations of our study are that we had a small cohort of patients. We lost many patients due to a lack of participation in PROMs 2.0. There was 27.7% participation in the study. We have discussed loss of patients in previous studies, in essence we can improve participation by offering patient choice of online/paper versions of the questionnaire, increasing reminder messages sent to patients when scores are due and getting patients to fill in the questionnaire in clinics. A greater number of patients would help make the results more reliable. It is prudent to note a very small proportion of patients did not feel improvement in outcomes despite improved radiological correction [7,8].

Conclusion

We can deduce the following conclusions from our study, firstly, that the level of deformity in hallux valgus can affect functionality of patients and reported outcomes. Secondly, HV surgery results in improved functional scores, and finally that one must ensure effort is made for complete restoration of normal anatomy to enable optimum function for sufferers of hallux valgus.

References

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© 2018 Karam Ahmad. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License , which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and build upon your work non-commercially.