Foot Complaints Pre-Operative to Primary Total Hip or Knee Arthroplasty

Purpose of the Study: Aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of foot and ankle complaints and radiographic abnormalities, and their association in patients planned for total joint surgery. Methods: A cross-sectional cohort study of 183 patients, planned for total hip or knee arthroplasty (THA, TKA). Assessments included recording of polyneuropathy, previous trauma, foot deformities, and ankle range of motion (ROM); self-reported foot and ankle complaints; and radiographic severity of the foot and ankle joints OA. Results: In patients planned for THA and TKA, the proportions of patients with risk factors or using bespoke footwear ranged from 21-41%, whereas the proportions with clavus, hammertoes, and/or hallux valgus or rigidus varied between 1-17%. Although the mean foot function scores were good (median FAOS >93 and FFI-5pt 0), up to 24% of patients had a low score on one or more of the subscale scores. Prevalence of patients with signs of radiographic OA in foot and ankle were lower in THA than TKA patients, respectively. For the TKA group, we found an association between radiological scores and both self-reported measures of foot and ankle complaints. Conclusion: About a quarter of patients undergoing THA and TKA report some foot complaints, whereas 32-45% have signs of radiographic OA of foot and/or ankle. Since foot and ankle complaints have shown to have a negative effect on outcome of THA and TKA surgery, pre-operative optimisation concerning the foot complaints should be considered to support a more favourable outcome.