The subjective shoulder rating system.

We developed a subjective shoulder rating system (SSRS) and tested its reliability against a recognized system (Constant-Murley Score) and a four-point verbal rating scale in 200 patients (mean age 43 years, range 18-71 years; 83 women and 117 men; 48 anterior shoulder reconstructions, 123 subacromial decompressions, 29 manipulations under anesthesia). Within the study period of 1 year, patients completed the SSRS preoperatively and at 1 and 2 weeks, also at 3, 6, and 12 months. The examination according to the Constant-Murley Score was performed preoperatively and at 3 and 12 months. Linear regression showed a highly significant correlation between the SSRS and the Constant-Murley Score (r = 0.83, n = 592, P < 0.001). Ninety-seven percent of the SSRS forms were completed and returned. The average time to complete the SSRS form was 55 s (range 20-310 s) as compared with an experienced examiner requiring an average of 410 s (range 190-720 s) to complete the Constant-Murley Score. The time difference was highly significant (P < 0.001).