Factors Associated with Patient Decision-making to Undergo Foot and Ankle Surgery: An Indonesian Perspective

Introduction: Foot and ankle disorders cause substantial pain, disability, and reduced quality of life. Although surgery can restore function, patients' willingness to undergo surgery is influenced by sociocultural, economic, and experiential factors. Materials and methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 240 patients with foot and ankle disorders at Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. Sociodemographic, clinical, and contextual variables were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression to identify independent predictors of surgical willingness. Results: Seventy percent of patients expressed willingness to undergo surgery. Higher pain intensity (OR 1.34, p < 0.001), lower AOFAS scores (OR 0.76, p = 0.015), previous surgical experience (OR 2.38, p = 0.016), and shorter expected recovery time (OR 2.07, p = 0.034) independently predicted willingness. Sociodemographic factors showed no significant association. Discussion: Clinical severity and surgical experience strongly influence surgical decisions, while demographic and financial factors play a minor role. Patient-centered counseling emphasizing symptom burden and recovery expectations is essential to enhance shared decision-making.