| Name of the Instrument/Tool | Knee Society Clinical Rating System (KSS) |
| First Description |
Insall JN, Dorr LD, Scott RD, Scott WN. Rationale of the Knee Society clinical rating system. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1989 Nov;(248):13-4. |
| Year | 1989 |
| Domains | |
| Concept of constructs | Functional status |
| Population/Disease | Disease specific |
| Originally developed for | Osteoarthritis (OA) |
| Other rheumatic diseases where can be applied (only if validated) |
--- |
| Additional population with no rheumatic diseases |
Yes total knee arthroplasty (TKA) |
| Language: Originally published in | English |
| Available in Language | Spanish, Portuguese, French |
| REFERENCE IDENTIFICATION | |
| Author/s | Insall JN, Dorr LD, Scott RD, Scott WN. |
| Title | Rationale of the Knee Society clinical rating system. |
| Journal | Clin Orthop Relat Res. |
| Year | 1989 |
| Vol | --- |
| Num | 248 |
| Pages | 13-4 |
| Country | USA |
| Language | English |
| Other references of interest | |
| Link | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11741066/ |
| Brief Description |
Validity and responsiveness of the Knee Society Clinical Rating System in comparison with the SF-36 and WOMAC |
| Link | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27324635/ |
| Brief Description |
The minimal clinically important difference for Knee Society Clinical Rating System after total knee arthroplasty for primary osteoarthritis |
| Instrument/Tool Translations References | |
| Link | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23354171/ |
| Brief Description |
Translation and validation of 'The Knee Society Clinical Rating System' into Spanish |
| Link | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24453576/ |
| Brief Description |
Translation and Validation of the Knee Society Score - KSS for Brazilian Portuguese |
| Link | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28159566/ |
| Brief Description |
A systematic review of self-administered questionnaires for the functional assessment of patients with knee disabilities adapted into Spanish |
| DEVELOPER CONTACT INFORMATION | |
| Correspondence to | Lawrence D Dorr |
| Patriciajpaul@yahoo.com | |
| Address | --- |
| Website | --- |
| Available | --- |
| Links | --- |
| DESCRIPTION OF THE INSTRUMENT | |
| Type Of Measure | Score |
| Brief Description |
The KSS contains questions in 2 sections: knee joint (pain, range of motion, stability) and function (walking distance, ability to climb stairs). When calculating the score, deductions are taken for assistive devices and flexion contractures, misalignment, or extension lag. The objective knee score includes three main constructs: pain, knee stability, and ROM. The original KSS has a “Knee Score” section (7 items) and a “Functional Score” section (3 items). |
| Number of Items | 10 |
| Range | 0-100 for each section |
| Responses options/scale |
No |
| Developed for | --- |
| PRACTICAL APPLICATION | |
| Method of administration | Physician |
| Recommendations to score |
Each item has a pool of questions with their own value to be selected. The total score is the sum of each independent question. |
| Score Interpretation | Lower scores being indicative of worse knee conditions and higher scores being indicative of better knee conditions. |
| Cut-off points | A score of 50 indicates adequate knee function |
| Cut-off points applied to | --- |
| Smallest detectable change if described | --- |
| Smallest detectable change applied to | --- |
| Completion time by the patient | - minutes |
| Scoring time by the assessor | - minutes |
| Training to score | Not necessary |
| Strengths | Easy to use |
| Limitations | --- |
| OTHER COMMENTS | |
| Other Comments | --- |