A Clinical Method of Functional Assessment of the Shoulder

Clin Orthop Relat Res · 1987 · Classic · cited 5,289 times

C. R. Constant, A. H. G. Murley

Shoulder & Elbow

SUMMARY — THE REDUCTIONDescribes a reproducible, easy-to-use clinical scoring method for assessing shoulder function regardless of underlying diagnosis, sensitive enough to detect small changes.
Abstract, as published

Several methods have been devised to estimate shoulder function, none of which is entirely satisfactory. The method described in this article is applicable irrespective of the details of the diagnostic or radiologic abnormalities caused by disease or injury. The method records individual parameters and provides an overall clinical functional assessment. It is accurately reproducible by different observers and is sufficiently sensitive to reveal even small changes in function. The method is easy to perform and requires a minimal amount of time for evaluation of large population groups.

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