High correlation of the subjective elbow value with Mayo Elbow Performance Score and Oxford Elbow Score in patients with elbow dislocation

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze the correlation of the Subjective Elbow Value (SEV) with 2 widely used elbow scoring systems: Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) and Oxford Elbow Score (OES) in patients following elbow dislocation. In this retrospective single-center study, patients who sustained an elbow dislocation between January 2008 and December 2019 and were at least 2 years out from injury were included. SEV, OES and MEPS were assessed and statistical correlation was calculated using Pearson's correlation coefficient. A total of 114 patients (61 male, 53 female) with a mean age of 47.1 years (range, 16-70) were analyzed following elbow dislocation. The mean SEV was 87.4% (95% confidence interval (CI) 84.2-90.7), mean MEPS was 88.1 (95% CI 85.1-91.0) points and mean OES was 40.0 (95% CI 38.4-41.7) points. Both MEPS (r=0.710, P<.001), and OES (r=0.764, P<.001) demonstrated high correlation with the SEV. This study demonstrates that the SEV is a valid tool to assess overall status of the elbow in patients following elbow dislocations and presents an expressive but easy to perform addition to more complex scoring systems.