Abstract
Aim
To assess the efficacy and ease of use of the Oxford Knee Score (OKS) in soft tissue knee pathology.
Method
In a prospective study, we compared the OKS against the International Knee Documentation Committee 2000 (IKDC) and the Lysholm Scores (Lys). We also assessed the OKS with retrograde (Reversed OKS: 48=worst symptoms, 0=asymptomatic) and antegrade (as currently used in Oxford) numbering. All patients completed 3 questionnaires (OKS, Lys, and IKDC, or RevOKS, Lys, and IKDC) stating which was the simplest from their perspective. We recruited 93 patients from the orthopaedic and physiotherapy clinics. All patients between the ages of 15 and 45 with soft tissue knee derangements, such as ligamentous, and meniscal injuries were included. Exclusions were made in patients with degenerative and/or inflammatory arthritidis. Patients who had sustained bony injuries or underwent bony surgery were also excluded.
Results
The distribution of the soft tissue injuries was: Meniscal tears (35%), anterior cruciate ligament injuries (23%), anterior knee pain (22%), other injuries (12%), and collateral ligament damage (8%). Linear regression analysis revealed no significant difference between all 3 scores (R squared=0.7823, P<0.0001). The OKS correlated best with the IKDC (r=0.7483), but less so with the Lys (r=0.3278). The reversed OKS did not correlate as well (R squared= 0.2603) with either the IKDC (r= -0.2978) or the Lys (r=-0.2586). ANOVA showed the OKS to be significantly easier than Lys to complete (p<0.0001), but not significantly easier than IKDC (p>0.05).
Conclusion
The OKS is patient friendly and reliable in assessing soft tissue knee injury. This is particularly useful if the OKS is already in use within a department for assessment of degenerative disease. The Oxford Knee score should be used in an antegrade fashion (with a score of 48/48 corresponding to maximum symptoms) to give the best results in objective assessment.
