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

BACKGROUND: 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. METHODS: 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. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSION: 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.