Abstract
Introduction The Constant-Murley Score is the functional score currently recommended by the British Shoulder and Elbow Society and by the European Society for Surgery of the Shoulder and Elbow. Normal Values for shoulder assessment are imperative for the diagnosis of pathology and measurement of treatment outcome. Normal values for the UK are currently not known. Several techniques have been described for the assessment for strength and measurement of this paraemeter differs between published series.
Patients and method 122 patients over 50 (62 male) attended a GP surgery for a Constant Score measurement. Constant Score was assessed using three techniques for strength measurement: maximum strength with myometer (Mmax), mean strength with myometer (Mmean) and maximum strength with fixed spring balance (FSB).
Results Maximum strength values measured by myometer or fixed spring balance were very similar with a mean difference of 0.5 (less than the calibration of a spring balance). Mean strength measurements were consistently lower than maximum strength measurements with a mean difference of 3 points. Age and sex both significantly affected Constant Score (P< 0.001, P< 0.001). Constant Score falls by 0.4 points per year over 50. Males have a score 8 points greater than females.
Conclusions Constant Score decreases predictably with age in the UK. Methods of strength assessment are not the same. A uniform method of shoulder strength assessment or correction for method is required to allow meaningful comparisons between series.
Theses abstracts were prepared by Professor Roger Lemaire. Correspondence should be addressed to EFORT Central Office, Freihofstrasse 22, CH-8700 Küsnacht, Switzerland.
