Responsiveness of the PROMIS physical function measure in orthopaedic trauma patients

•The PROMIS Physical Function (PROMIS-PF) can be completed in less time than the 36-Item Short Form Survey Physical Component Score (SF36-PCS).•A ceiling effect reported for the PROMIS-PF was not observed in the SF36-PCS, particularly at baseline and following 12 months of recovery.•No differences in responsiveness were evident according to the standardized response mean or proportion achieving minimal clinically important difference. To compare the responsiveness of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function (PROMIS-PF) to the 36-Item Short Form Survey Physical Component Score (SF36-PCS) in orthopaedic trauma patients from pre-injury to one year recovery. Prospective cohort study at a Level 1 trauma centre. Patients over the age of 18 with orthopaedic trauma injuries to the pelvis, lower extremity or upper extremity between 2017 and 2018. The PROMIS-PF and SF36-PCS assessments were conducted at baseline, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months. Responsiveness of each measure was assessed between time points by calculating the standardized response mean (SRM), the proportions of patients exceeding minimal clinically important difference (MCID), and the floor and ceiling effects. Sixty-eight patients with completed assessments at every timepoint were included: mean age 44.7 years, 39 were male and mean Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 7.4 (range: 4–16). Mean time of completion for the SF-36 at all the time points was 5.6 min vs 1.7 min for the PROMIS-PF (p