A new foot and ankle outcome score: Questionnaire based, subjective, Visual-Analogue-Scale, validated and computerized

Our purpose was to construct and validate a new score taking into consideration the flaws of existing scores.MethodsA new score named Visual-Analogue-Scale Foot and Ankle (VAS FA) with the following features was constructed: questionnaire based on 20 subjective questions, Visual-Analogue-Scale (VAS) based rating, computerized evaluation. The score was validated in 121 subjects. For validation, SF-36® and Hannover Questionnaire (Q) were obtained and correlated with VAS FA.ResultsThe correlation VAS FA versus SF-36® and Q (Pearson, all p-values <0.001, r ≥ 0.5) was sufficient for the total score and all score categories (pain, function, other complaints).The time needed for evaluating the scores was significantly lower for VAS FA than for SF-36® and Q (Oneway-ANOVA, p < 0.001).ConclusionsThe introduced score is the first validated (on SF-36®), subjective, VAS based outcome score for foot and ankle. The VAS FA is computerized which enables faster evaluation than SF-36® or Q.