A study for testing the sensitivity and reliability of the Lysholm knee scoring scale

Abstract

The aim of the present investigation was to test the Lysholm knee scoring scale from 1985 for sensitivity and reliability. Thirty-one patients with one of four different diagnoses: anterior cruciate ligament rupture (ACL), meniscus tear (MT), patello-femoral pain syndrome (PFPS) and lateral ankle sprain (LAS) participated in the study. None of the patients were in the acute phase of injury, and none had undergone surgery. Each patient was interviewed by telephone and gave answers to the Lysholm knee scoring scale verbally, while the interviewer wrote down their replies. This was done on three different occasions, days 1, 3 and 14. The results showed that the ACL group scored the highest (81.1 of possible 100 points) and differed significantly (P < 0.01) from the other three groups. Thus, the Lysholm knee scoring scale was less sensitive for the ACL patients, for whom it was originally designed, than for the other three diagnostic categories. The reliability was highest between the two first testing times, day 1 and 3 (r = 0.75, P < 0.0001).

Letter to the Editor: Subchondral Calcium Phosphate is Ineffective for Bone Marrow Edema Lesions in Adults with Advanced Osteoarthritis

“…However, the grading system described by Mitsou et al and previously by Tegner [8] actually evaluated the success of ACL reconstruction, not knee osteoarthritis treatments. In a study by Bengtsson et al [1], the postoperative Lysholm score was significantly higher for ACL outcomes than other knee and lower extremity conditions. Unfortunately, Chatterjee et al seem to have misapplied these previously validated criteria, which led to their inappropriate definition of ''clinical failure.''…”

Reply to Letter to the Editor: Subchondral Calcium Phosphate is Ineffective for Bone Marrow Edema Lesions in Adults with Advanced Osteoarthritis

“…We also feel that the critique by Bengsston and colleagues [1] on the sensitivity of the Tegner Lysholm Score regarding ACL injuries and other lower extremity conditions corroborates as opposed to discredits our choice. The grading of the score allows a more critical analysis of the outcome [1].…”

Lower Extremity-Specific Measures of Disability and Outcomes in Orthopaedic Surgery

“…The scores are arbitrarily categorized as excellent (95 to 100), good (84 to 94), fair (65 to 83), and poor (<65) 60 . While the Lysholm has been widely used to measure outcomes for knee ligament surgery 60 , it has received criticism that it functions better for patients after an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction than for those with other knee conditions 61,62 . Its validity, sensitivity, and reliability have been called into question 4,61,62 .…”

“…While the Lysholm has been widely used to measure outcomes for knee ligament surgery 60 , it has received criticism that it functions better for patients after an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction than for those with other knee conditions 61,62 . Its validity, sensitivity, and reliability have been called into question 4,61,62 . In addition, the Lysholm scoring system may have a ceiling effect since scores tend to be higher compared with other knee outcome measures.…”