Lower Extremity Assessment Scale: A Simple Patient-Reported Tool Validated Against Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function.

Authors

Tyler Forbes, Joseph Cavataio, Alyxandra Camello, Anagha Purushotham, Andrew Robinson, Kevin Blue, Rahul Vaidya

Published in

Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Global research & reviews. Volume 10. Issue 11. Nov 01, 2026. Epub Nov 04, 2026.

Abstract

Accurate assessment of recovery after lower extremity trauma is critical in orthopaedics. The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function (PROMIS-PF) scale is widely used but may introduce ambiguity for lower limb-related impairments. To address this limitation, the Lower Extremity Assessment (LEA) scale was developed. It is a brief patient-reported tool focused on assessing pain, mobility, and gait. The aim of this study was to validate LEA by comparing it with PROMIS in postoperative trauma patients.
An IRB-approved prospective cross-sectional study of 232 patients was conducted among patients who had undergone surgery for lower extremity fractures, joint pathology, or soft-tissue injuries at a level I US trauma center. Participants completed the eight-item PROMIS Physical Function form (T-scores) and the three-question LEA survey (0-7 scale). Correlations were analyzed using Spearman ρ and Pearson r, with subgroup analyses by injury type and postoperative intervals.
PROMIS-PF T-scores ranged from 22.7 to 56.9 (median 40.2), while LEA scores ranged from 0 to 7 (median 4). LEA demonstrated a strong correlation with PROMIS (Spearman ρ = 0.701; P < 0.001; Pearson r = 0.68; P < 0.001). Correlations were not different across recovery phases (<3 months vs. > 6 months; P = 0.93).
The LEA is a valid, efficient, and patient-friendly outcome measure for postoperative lower extremity trauma. It correlates strongly with PROMIS-PF while providing insight into limb-specific function, supporting its integration into clinical practice and research.

PMID:
42993942
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 07 Nov 2026.

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