Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of an Arabic version of the American Orthopedics Foot and Ankle Score (AOFAS)

Background The evaluation process is essential to optimize the management of patients with foot and ankle pathologies and disorders. This study aimed to translate and culturally adapt the four scoring systems of the American Orthopedics Foot and ankle Score (AOFAS) into Arabic and explore its psychometric properties. Methods A multicenter observational design was used, following the forward-backward translation method. One hundred and twenty patients with foot and ankle problems were included. Construct validity and test-retest reliability were analyzed using Intra-class correlation coefficients; internal consistency was analyzed with Cronbach’s alpha, and the responsiveness was analyzed using a paired-sample test. Results The validity ranged from 0.303 to 0.542 and from 0.018 to 0.753 when correlated to the SF-12 physical and mental component scores, respectively. Test-retest reliability ranged from 0.727 to 0.974; from 0.826 to 0.983 for internal consistency and from 0.001 to 0.182 for sensitivity. Conclusion The AOFAS’s four systems were successfully translated and culturally adapted into Arabic with sufficient psychometric properties. Level of clinical evidence : II.