A ONE-PAGE FORM TO COLLECT KNEE OUTCOMES DATA IN A SPORTS MEDICINE PRACTICE

Abstract

Introduction: Many knee outcomes measures have recently been developed and validated. However, most of these are lengthy and too cumbersome to use in a busy sports medicine practice. The purpose of this study was to develop a one-page outcomes form that documents function, activity and patient satisfaction for collection of knee outcomes data in a format that can be analyzed easily so that a surgeon may better assess the outcomes of the therapeutic regimens used.

Methods: Validated knee questionnaires were evaluated for their length and ease of scoring. Scores were evaluated for test-retest reliability, floor and ceiling effects, criterion validity, construct validity, and responsiveness to change. In addition, the psychometric properties of a single-item patient satisfaction instrument with outcomes score were studied.

Results: The Lysholm score and Tegner activity scale are short in length and provide a validated outcomes measurement tool for several sports medicine procedures. In addition to being validated for ACL, meniscus, and chondral defects, we tested their psychometric properties in patients seeking treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee. The Tegner scale and overall Lysholm score showed acceptable test-retest (ICC = 0.87 and 0.79, respectively) reliability, floor and ceiling effects, criterion validity, construct validity, and responsiveness to change. The standard error of the Lysholm was 6.7 and the minimum detectable change at 95% confidence level (MDC95) was 16. For the Tegner score, the standard error was 0.60 and the MDC95 was 1.2. For the one-item patient satisfaction scale, there was an acceptable floor (4.3%) but a high ceiling (39.4%) effect. There was acceptable criterion validity with significant (p< 0.05) correlations between the satisfaction with surgical outcomes and the validated Group Health of America Consumer Satisfaction Survey. There was acceptable construct validity with all hypotheses demonstrating significance (p< 0.05). Acceptable responsiveness to change was found.

Conclusions: The Lysholm score, the Tegner activity scale, and a one-item patient satisfaction with outcomes scale provide a valid one-page knee outcomes measurement form. This simple form allows the collection of knee outcomes data in a busy sports medicine practice to help surgeons better assess the clinical outcomes in their patients.