title: The impact of ankle osteoarthritis. The difference of opinion between patient and orthopedic surgeon.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Outcome measures for ankle osteoarthritis (OA) are created by physicians with little input of the target patient group. The aim of this study was to determine the difference in opinion between patients and orthopedic surgeons concerning the importance of specific symptoms of ankle OA and its impact on daily life and function.
  
  
  METHODS
  A modified Delphi method was applied, consisting of structured interviews with patient focus groups and experts, followed by a poll using 32 statements. The difference in opinion between patients and orthopedic surgeons was evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty patients and forty orthopedic surgeons responded to the 32 statements. Statistically significant differences in opinion on symptoms, function and the impact of ankle OA on daily life were found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrates a significant difference in opinion between patients and orthopedic surgeons concerning specific symptoms of ankle OA. These results advocate incorporating the needs and demands of the individual patient for new outcome measures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Sint Maartenskliniek, Hengstdal 3, P.O. Box 9011, 6500 GM Nijmegen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: a.witteveen@maartenskliniek.nl.
authors.forename: Angelique G H
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Witteveen
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Sint Maartenskliniek, Hengstdal 3, P.O. Box 9011, 6500 GM Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Cheriel J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Hofstad
authors.affiliation: Emergency Department, Scheper Hospital, Boermarkeweg 60, 7824 AA Emmen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Mark J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Breslau
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic Research Centre Amsterdam, Academic Medical Center, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Leendert
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Blankevoort
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic Research Centre Amsterdam, Academic Medical Center, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Gino M M J
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Kerkhoffs
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003697:Delphi Technique; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Ankle; Impact; Osteoarthritis; Patient reported outcome measures