Watson used a score to evaluate the shoulder function in a patient with a torn rotator cuff. This can help compare a patient’s performance before and after surgery and to monitor function over time. The author is from Guy’s Hospital in London.
Parameters:
(1) patient’s opinion
(2) surgeon’s assessment of pain
(3) surgeon’s assessment of deltoid power
(4) surgeon’s assessment of passive range of movement (abduction plus rotation)
Parameter
Findings
Points
patient’s opinion
complete satisfaction
50
in between levels of satisfaction
1 - 49
complete dissatisfaction
0
pain
none (complete relief)
20
minimal to moderate pain
11-19
moderate residual pain
10
moderate to severe pain
1-9
severe pain
0
deltoid power
(MRC) * 4
where:
• MRC = Medical Research Council muscle strength grade with arm abducted at 45 degrees.
points for passive range of motion =
= ((range of passive motion for abduction in the scapular plane at the glenohumeral joint) + (range of glenohumeral rotation)) / 30
where:
• The maximal range of passive motion is 120 degrees.
• The maximal range of glenohumeral rotation is 180 degrees.
• The range for passive range of motion is 0 to 10.
total score =
= SUM(points for all 4 parameters)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum score: 100
• The higher the score the better the function.
Total Score
Outcome
100
perfect shoulder
> 75
good
50 – 75
fair
< 50
poor
0
useless, severely painful
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