New self-assessment tool following shoulder stabilization surgery may predict post-operative follow-up of shoulder stabilization procedures

Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMS) are increasingly used for patient evaluation, as well as for scientific research. Few are used for practical purposes in the clinical setting, and few are reliable enough to allow proper feedback to physicians. Two of the most commonly used assessment tools in shoulder instability are the Walch–Duplay and the Rowe scores.

Omar Lazrek et al conducted a study to evaluate the validity of self-administered versions of the Walch–Duplay and Rowe scores following shoulder stabilization procedures.

Patients were required to anonymously fill a self-administered version of Walch–Duplay and Rowe score. All patients were given both questionnaires to fill upon arrival, before their clinical examination. The questionnaires were designed in order not to require any assistance to be completed. They were composed of questions with a selection of answers in checkboxes as well as instructions for self-evaluation of range of motion, paired with explanatory illustrations detailing the varying ranges per motion type.

The classic scores were measured by the surgeon. Correlations between self-assessment and physician assessment were then recorded.

Key findings of the study were:

• A total of 106 patients were evaluated during the study period.

• There were 72 (67.9%) men. Eighty-eight (83%) patients were right-handed and 55 (52.4%) patients were evaluated for their right side.

• Sixty-one patients (58%) were evaluated for their dominant side.

• Using the Spearman coefficient for correlation, a strong correlation (r>0.5) was found between the results of the self-administered questionnaire and the surgeon-measured score.

• The difference between surgeon- and patient-administered questionnaires was non-significant.

The authors concluded - “This study shows that the Walch and Rowe questionnaires can be easily converted to self-administered questionnaires without losing the quality of the original index. A high correlation between surgeon- and patient-administered questionnaires was observed, along with non-significant differences between overall scores.”

Level of evidence: Level II.

Further reading:

A new self assessment tool following shoulder stabilization surgery, the auto Walch and auto Rowe questionnaires

Omar Lazrek, Karam Mark Karam et al

Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy (2023) 31:2593–2601

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-022-07290-y