Validation and reliability of the Simple Achille Value (SAV) in Achilles tendon disorders.

BACKGROUND

Achilles tendon (AT) disorders significantly impact patient life, necessitating accurate assessment tools. Current methods are often complex and time-consuming. This study aims to validate the Simple Ankle Value (SAV) for AT disorders.

METHODS

A multicenter study was conducted involving 101 participants, including a surgical, a conservative, and a control group. Participants completed the SAV, VISA-A, and EFAS scores. The study assessed correlations among scores, reliability, responsiveness to change, threshold and ceiling effect and discriminative ability of the SAV.

RESULTS

There was a significant strong correlation with the EFAS and a significant moderate to strong correlation with the VISA-A. The score showed excellent reliability (ρ = 0.95, 95 %CI: [0.913; 0.976], p < 0.001). Responsiveness to change was significant between preoperative and postoperative SAV (37.99 ± 25.73 vs 70.86 ± 21.26). The SAV discriminated between patient and controls with no threshold or ceiling effect.

CONCLUSION

The SAV provides a valid, reliable, and responsive method for assessing AT disorders. It offers a simplified and effective alternative to more complex scores.

STUDY

DESIGN

Cohort study (Diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2.