A Prospective Study on Correlation Between Postural Control Ability and Patient-Reported Outcome Measure After Total...

Background/Objectives: Information on the effects of total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) on postural control ability and their clinical significance remains insufficient. This study aimed to investigate changes in postural control ability following TAA for end-stage ankle arthritis and to identify their correlation with clinical outcome measures. Methods: The study included 32 patients under the age of 70 who underwent TAA for end-stage osteoarthritis and were followed for at least 3 years. Clinical outcomes, including abilities in daily living and sports activities, were evaluated using the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) and the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM). Postural control ability was assessed using the static and dynamic stability test modes of Biodex posturography. Spearman's correlation coefficient (r) was analyzed to determine the linear association between postural control ability and clinical outcome measures. Results: The FAOS and FAAM scores significantly improved from a preoperative mean of 32.5 and 34.1 to 82.3 and 83.6 at the final follow-up (p < 0.001), respectively. Posturographic evaluation showed a mean overall stability index of 1.52 for static postural control and 2.56 for dynamic postural control at the final follow-up. FAOS demonstrated no significant correlation with static postural control (r = -0.11, p = 0.425), but showed a significant correlation with dynamic postural control (r = -0.35, p = 0.021). Similarly, FAAM scores did not correlate significantly with static postural control (r = -0.26, p = 0.103), but demonstrated a significant correlation with dynamic postural control (r = -0.57, p < 0.001). Conclusions: TAA failed to bring a statistically significant improvement in postural control ability. Dynamic postural control ability after TAA was found to have a significant correlation with patient-reported clinical outcomes. To enhance postoperative clinical outcomes, including abilities for daily living and sports activities, biomechanical assessment and targeted rehabilitation strategies to improve postural control ability may be helpful.