French translation and validation of the Achilles Tendon Total Rupture Score "ATRS".

BACKGROUND

To provide a cross-cultural French adaptation of the Achille's Tendon Total Rupture Score (ATRS) and to assess its psychometric performances.

METHOD: The ATRS questionnaire was first translated and inter-culturally adapted into French according to international guidelines. Then, 95 subjects were recruited to complete the French version of the ATRS twice (2 weeks of interval). The SF-36 and VISA-A were used as comparative questionnaires. The psychometric properties of the questionnaire were evaluated (test-retest reliability, internal consistency, construct validity, floor/ceiling effects).

RESULTS

Thetest-retest reliability was excellent (ICC of 0,966 (95% CI:0.644-0.879)) and the internal consistency very high (Cronbach's alpha of 0,98). The convergent and divergent construct validity were also confirmed. Finally, none of the subjects obtained the lowest score (0) or the maximal score (100) to the questionnaire.

CONCLUSION

A valid and reliable French version of the ATRS is now available.