Shoulder Outcome Measurements: Oxford Shoulder Instability Score

The Oxford Shoulder Instability Score (OSIS) is a patient-reported outcome measure that assesses the severity of shoulder instability and its impact on the patient's quality of life. It is a questionnaire that consists of 12 items that evaluate the level of pain, activities of daily living, work and social activities, and overall satisfaction with shoulder function. Each item is scored on a 5-point Likert scale, with 0 indicating the most severe symptoms or limitations and 4 indicating no symptoms or limitations. The total score ranges from 0 to 48, with higher scores indicating better shoulder function.

The OSIS is designed for patients with shoulder instability, which can result from traumatic injuries, such as dislocations or subluxations, or from atraumatic causes, such as ligament laxity or muscle weakness. It can be used to evaluate patients at any stage of treatment, from initial assessment to postoperative follow-up.

The OSIS has been shown to be a reliable and valid tool for assessing shoulder instability and its impact on patients' quality of life. It can be used in clinical practice to monitor changes in shoulder function over time, to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment interventions, and to compare the outcomes of different treatment modalities.

The interpretation of the Oxford Shoulder Instability Score (OSIS) requires adding the scores of each item to obtain a total score, which can range from 0 to 48. A higher score indicates better shoulder function. There are no established "normal" results for the OSIS, as the scores can vary depending on the individual's age, sex, occupation, and the severity of their shoulder instability. Instead, the OSIS is used to compare the patient's current functional status to their previous status or to the status of other patients with similar conditions.

Clinically significant change in OSIS score has been defined as a change of 8 or more points in the total score. A change of this magnitude indicates a significant improvement or decline in shoulder function.

References:

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