Purpose
The aim of this study was to identify the impairment of quality of life (QoL) for different sport orthopaedic injuries prior to surgery in Germany and build a baseline dataset for these injuries.
Methods
Data from the German arthroscopy registry (DART) between November 2017 and January 2025 were used. EuroQol five-dimension questionnaire (EQ) value and EQ-visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS) were analysed for shoulder, hip, knee and ankle injuries. The EQ index value was calculated using a time-trade-off value set for Germany. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and standardised mean differences (SMD) were calculated to assess between-group effects.
Results
A total of 9432 patients from the DART were included, predominantly with knee (75.5%) and shoulder (19.1%) pathologies. The highest EQ value was observed in shoulder patients (mean = 0.744 ± 0.22), while the lowest was reported in ankle patients (mean = 0.692 ± 0.26). EQ-VAS scores were highest in ankle (mean = 66.30 ± 22.1) and lowest in hip patients (mean = 62.41 ± 19.9). One-way ANOVA revealed significant differences between joint groups (p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis showed the highest EQ value in meniscus lesions with future resection (0.806 ± 0.17) and ACL re-rupture (0.785 ± 0.21), while patella instability (0.633 ± 0.28) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) rupture (0.641 ± 0.27) showed the lowest. EQ-VAS was highest for meniscus lesions with future resection (71.03 ± 19.8) and rotator cuff tear without biceps tendon pathology (68.20 ± 20.8), and lowest for PCL rupture (62.45 ± 18.4) and femoroacetabular impingement (62.20 ± 20.1).
Conclusion
Sport orthopaedic injuries cause a marked reduction in QoL, especially prior to surgical treatment. These findings highlight the need for greater integration of QoL assessment and mental health support in orthopaedic care and research to ensure more holistic, patient-centred treatment strategies.
Level of Evidence
Level II, prognostic prospective cohort study