Interval changes in mental health, pain, and function following Brostrom-Gould for ankle instability: A retrospective cohort study

This study aims to assess interval changes in patient-reported outcomes following Brostrom-Gould (BG) surgery in patients with Chronic Ankle Instability (CAI). Our primary interest is to identify periods of significant change in patient mental health, physical function, and pain to provide a reference to appropriately counsel patients regarding postoperative expectations. This study was designed as a retrospective cohort study. Seventy-eight patients were identified via CPT codes and an extensive review of the surgical scheduling record at a single institution from July 2022 to February 2024. Inclusion criteria were restricted to patients age ≥16, a diagnosis of CAI undergoing a primary BG procedure with completed preoperative patient-reported outcome (PRO) assessments. PROs were prospectively collected preoperatively and at designated postoperative intervals. PROs included Patient Reported Outcome Information Management System (PROMIS) Physical Function (PF), Pain Interference (PI), and Global-10 Mental Health (MH). Patient sociodemographic data and past medical history were collected via retrospective chart review. Among the 40 patients included, the mean preoperative MH was 50.4 [SD = 9.04], PF was 41.0 [SD = 6.75], and PI was 61.8 [SD = 7.0]. Changes in mean PROMIS scores relative to baseline were seen in PROMIS PF (p < 0.0001), PI (p < 0.0001), and MH (p = 0.4830). The greatest improvement in PF and PI occurred between 6 weeks and 3 months. The present study suggests that patients undergoing BG can expect significant improvement in physical function and a reduction of pain within the first year of surgery, beginning as early as 6 weeks postoperatively. These findings may be used in clinical practice to appropriately counsel patients regarding post-operative expectations following surgery.