Which outcome measures are commonly used to assess function after orthopedic procedures?

• A. PROMs such as DASH/KOOS/HOOS, along with pain scores and functional status
• B. Radiographic fusion rates
• C. Serum biomarkers levels
• D. Time to return to sports only

Answer: (A)

Assessing function after orthopedic procedures relies on patient-reported outcome measures because they directly capture how surgery affects daily activities, pain, and overall function from the patient’s perspective. Tools like DASH for upper-extremity function and KOOS or HOOS for knee and hip conditions are widely used because they are validated, sensitive to change, and applicable across many joints and procedures, often alongside simple pain and functional status questions. These PROMs provide a meaningful view of real-world function that imaging or laboratory tests alone cannot, and they are standard in both research and clinical practice for tracking recovery over time. In contrast, radiographic fusion rates judge anatomical success, not functional ability; serum biomarkers don’t quantify how well a patient can perform daily tasks; and time to return to sports is too narrow to represent overall function.