New Computerized Elbow and Forearm Clinical Scores

Abstract

Abstract Background Current elbow clinical scores are scarce with limited comparability between them. None of them are computerized yet. There is no forearm clinical score assessing all anatomical components of forearm disorders such as the Essex-Lopresti injuries. The aims of this paper were to present new computerized elbow and forearm clinical scores. Methods These new computerized elbow and forearm clinical scores include four clinical criteria: pain, function, active range of motion and muscle strength. To each criterion is given a numerical value among 5 grades. The weight of each criterion is equivalent so that patient's and physician's related scores are equally balanced. Results Clinical scores components are automatically included into diamond-shape graphs and tables that can be directly exported into PowerPoint presentations for demonstration and comparison purposes. Discussion These user-friendly updatable clinical elbow and forearm scores are based on four classic clinical criteria, pain, function, motion, and strength that are expressed into grades. They were designed to evaluate any osteoarticular elbow or forearm disorder regardless of the etiology. These scores are open since they may be modified in future versions.