Normal shoulder outcome score values in the young, active adult

Background: Our objective was to determine baseline, normative values for multiple shoulder outcome scores in a young, active population without shoulder symptoms. Methods: One hundred ninety-two volunteers completed the Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation, modified American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, Western Ontario Shoulder Instability index, Simple Shoulder Test, and Disabilities of the Ann, Shoulder and Hand score. Their mean age was 28.8 years (range, 17-50 years). Results: Of the participants, 59 (31%) scored no deficiencies on any of the outcome instruments, whereas 133 (69%) demonstrated some abnormal shoulder score. The mean scores were as follows: Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation, 97.7 (SD 5.2); modified American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, 98.9 (SD, 3.3); Western Ontario Shoulder Instability index, 82.7 of 2100 (SD, 153.5) Simple Shoulder Test, 11.79 (SD, 0.60); and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score, 1.85 (SD, 5.99). Conclusion: Our results show that the best possible shoulder score in an asymptomatic population may not be equivalent to a perfect score on the outcome scale. (C) 2009 Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Board of Trustees.