Fear of Reinjury Is Associated With Worse Physical Function Measured by PROMIS Following Minimally Invasive Achilles Rupture Repair.

Background: Prior literature suggests that patients suffering from fear of reinjury (FORI) following Achilles rupture may fail to return to sport and report worse Achilles Tendon Total Rupture Scores (ATRS); however, this prior study included patients who underwent both surgical and non-surgical management. This study therefore aims to determine whether self-reported fear (srFORI) is associated with worse outcomes as measured by validated Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) measures of physical function (PF) and pain interference (PI) and ATRS following operative Achilles repair specifically. Methods: This investigation was a retrospective review of all patients who underwent Achilles repair at a single institution (2018-2023). Tendinopathies, open injuries, concomitant fractures, tendon transfers, and gastrocnemius recessions were excluded. A total of 119 patients completed questionnaires containing PROMIS and ATRS, and additional surveys querying srFORI measured at the time of survey participation. Primary outcome was PROMIS. Secondary outcome was ATRS. Results: Mean follow-up duration was 30.3 ± 8.3 months. No significant differences existed in baseline characteristics ( Conclusion: Nearly 25% of patients self-reported FORI following minimally invasive Achilles tendon repair, which may be associated with clinically and statistically significant deficits in functional outcomes as measured by PROMIS and ATRS following repair. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective cohort study.