Validation and cultural adaptation of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society’s Ankle-Hindfoot Scale

Abstract

Introduction: The use of outcome assessment scales in scientific studies is necessary so that different treatment forms can be compared among individuals with the same diagnosis. Objectives: This study targeted the translation and validation of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot scale into Arabic. Materials and methods: The scale was applied to 93 patients with ankle-hindfoot joint conditions. The patients were also assessed using the SF-36 (Short Form questionnaire-36 items) quality-of-life generic questionnaire and the visual analogue scale (VAS). Results: Pearson’ s correlation coefficient (PCC) was 0.77 (P <0.001). The functional capacity, pain and energy components of SF-36 had the highest correlations (0.71, 0.62 and 0.63, respectively; P <0.001) with the AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot scale. The PCC between VAS and AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot scale was inversely proportional (– 0.681; P <0.001). Conclusions: We conclude that the version of AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot scale for the Arabic language was successfully translated and culturally adapted for application to Arabic patients, with satisfactory reliability and construct validity.