Concerns beyond ankle symptoms predominate healthcare professionals’ views of patients with ankle osteoarthritis: A qualitative study

Objectives
Explore healthcare professionals’ perspectives on the main problems that their patients with ankle osteoarthritis experience and to propose health-related domains.

Methods
A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was conducted with an international multidisciplinary group of healthcare professionals identified as ankle experts. Eligibility criteria were aged =18 years, and a certified healthcare professional with = 5-year experience post-qualification in working with ankle osteoarthritis and/or chronic ankle pain. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed.

Results
Twenty-one healthcare professionals (20 males; mean (range) age 49 (34–72) years) from four professions (orthopaedic surgeons (n = 9), athletic trainers (n = 5), physiotherapists (n = 4) and podiatrists (n = 3)) were interviewed. Four main themes were identified: 1) people with ankle osteoarthritis have difficulty with weight-bearing activities; 2) symptoms of pain and stiffness predominate, alongside swelling, instability, weakness and poor balance; 3) chronic pain in ankle osteoarthritis has psychosocial consequences; and 4) the loss of activities of daily living and independence compromises quality of life. We proposed 15 health-related domains that emerge from the interview data.

Conclusion
Healthcare professionals recognise that ankle osteoarthritis patients have difficulty in physical, sporting, and occupational weight-bearing activities, and they live with persistent ankle pain, stiffness and other symptoms that have physical and psychosocial consequences. The health-related domains derived from interviews with expert healthcare professionals will contribute to the development of a core domain set for ankle osteoarthritis.

Aim

Explore healthcare professionals’ perspectives on the main problems that their patients with ankle osteoarthritis experience and to propose health-related domains.

Contributors

Sultan Ayyadah Alanazi, Bill Vicenzino, Michelle D. Smith

Publication

Journal: Musculoskeletal Science and Practice
Volume: 72
Issue:
Pages: -
Year: 2024
DOI: 10.1016/j.msksp.2024.102946

Further Study Information

Current Stage: Completed
Date:
Funding source(s): Deanship of Postgraduate Studies and Scientific Research at Majmaah University for funded this research work through the project number (R-2024-1033).


Health Area

Disease Category: Rheumatology

Disease Name: Osteoarthritis

Target Population

Age Range: 18 - 120

Sex: Either

Nature of Intervention: Any

Stakeholders Involved

- Clinical experts
- Researchers

Study Type

- Recommendations made

Method(s)

- Interview

A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was conducted with an international multidisciplinary group of healthcare professionals identified as ankle experts. Eligibility criteria were aged =18 years, and a certified healthcare professional with = 5-year experience post-qualification in working with ankle osteoarthritis and/or chronic ankle pain. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed.