Abstract
Introduction
The Constant Score (CS) and the Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS) are shoulder scoring systems routinely used in the UK. Patients with Acromio-Clavicular Joint (ACJ) and Sterno-Clavicular Joint (SCJ) injuries and those with clavicle fractures tend to be younger and more active than those with other shoulder pathologies. While the CS takes into account the recreational outcomes for such patients the weighting is very small. We developed the Nottingham Clavicle Score (NCS) specifically for this group of patients.
Methods
We recruited 70 patients into a cohort study in which pre-operative and 6 month post-operative evaluations of outcome were reviewed using the CS, the OSS the Imatani Score (IS) and the EQ-5D scores which were compared with the NCS. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha. Reproducibility of the NCS was assessed using the test/re-test method. Each of the 10 items of the NCS was evaluated for their sensitivity and contribution to the total score of 100. Validity was examined by correlations between the NCS and the CS, OSS, IS and EQ-5D scores pre-operatively and post-operatively.
Results
Significant correlations were demonstrated post-operatively between the NCS and OSS (p< 0.001), CS (p=0.001), IS (p< 0.001) and the ‘self-care’ (p=0.013), ‘pain’ (p< 0.001) and ‘usual activities’ (p< 0.001) sub-categories of EQ-5D. Internal consistency was excellent (Cronbach's alpha=0.87). Removal of an item measuring cosmetic satisfaction improved the alpha to 0.90. Significant agreement was found on test/re-test examination. Differences in NCS were directly related to differences in all 4 comparative outcome measures and 91% of patients with improved post-op NCS values reported improvements in their symptoms.
Conclusions
The NCS has been proven to be a valid, reliable and sensitive outcome measure that can accurately measure the level of function and disability in the joint, SC joint and clavicle. We recommend its future use for clinical evaluation.
