Data published in the October issue of the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery suggest that the Simple Shoulder Test (SST) may be a valid and responsive patient-reported outcome measure for assessing the outcomes of shoulder arthroplasty. 

The authors analyzed information on 408 shoulder arthroplasties, including SST scores, 36-Item Short Form Health Survey scores, and satisfaction scores, collected preoperatively and 2 years postoperatively. They found that change in SST strongly correlated with patient satisfaction, with validity supported by significant differences between satisfied and unsatisfied patients, those with more severe and less severe comorbidities, those with workers' compensation or Medicaid and other types of insurance, those with and without previous failed shoulder surgery, and those taking and those not taking opioid pain medication prior to surgery. Learn more...