Patients With Lower Limb Deformity Report Worse Quality of Life Than Control Subjects Regardless of Degree of Deformity.

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this study was to determine how Limb Deformity Modified Scoliosis Research Society (LD-SRS) scores differ between patients with different types and degrees of limb deformity compared with control subjects.

METHODS

Patients who were >17 years and scheduled for reconstructive surgery for limb lengthening or angular deformity with internal and/or external fixation and healthy control subjects were prospectively enrolled. Patients completed the LD-SRS preoperatively. Mechanical axis deviation (MAD) and leg length discrepancy (LLD) were recorded preoperatively. Participants were stratified into five groups based on their diagnosis. ANOVA was used to test for associations between LD-SRS scores and diagnosis as well as mechanical axis deviation.

RESULTS

Patients with LLD, angular deformity, or combined LLD and angular deformity reported significantly worse scores than control subjects in LD-SRS Function/Activity, Pain, Self-Image/Appearance, and total score (P < 0.001 for all). Patients with short stature reported significantly worse LD-SRS Self-Image/Appearance (P < 0.001) and total score compared with control subjects (P = 0.015). There was a significant correlation between LLD and LD-SRS Self-Image/Appearance in the LLD and angular deformity group (r = -0.359, P = 0.043).

DISCUSSION: Although LD-SRS scores were worse in patients with limb deformity compared to controls, LD-SRS scores were not related to the degree of deformity in most patients, indicating that patient self-perception may be a construct unrelated to objective radiographic or clinical findings.