Knee Outcome Survey

What are knee conditions?

Knee conditions encompass a variety of issues that can affect the knee joint, significantly impacting an individual’s quality of life. Patients with knee conditions have difficulty doing routine activities like walking, moving around, sitting, standing, hygiene routines, and household chores.

Knee conditions and problems can arise from injuries, inflammation, degenerative diseases, and other medical problems, such as pathological disorders. These contribute to knee impairments and disorders, demonstrating their complexity. Some knee conditions include sprained or strained ligaments and muscles, knee tendonitis, knee arthritis, knee dislocations, and fractures.

What is the Knee Outcome Survey (KOS)?

The Knee Outcome Survey (KOS) is a patient-reported measure that assesses knee symptoms, limitations, and overall function of patients with knee pathologies through specific knee outcome survey activities. This survey provides critical insights into the impact of knee conditions on daily life, allowing healthcare providers to tailor treatments more effectively.  The KOS is proven to be reliable and responsive and has a high test-retest reliability. Furthermore, its construct validity in evaluating knee pathology has been well-documented.  

The KOS comprises two primary components: the activities of daily living scale and the sports activities scale. These are part of the four knee outcome scales used to measure symptoms and limitations. Here's a quick overview of the two primary components:

Activities of daily living scale (ADLS)

The ADLS evaluates how knee symptoms affect everyday activities. Patients rate the severity of their symptoms, including pain, stiffness, swelling, giving way, weakness, and limping.

Sports activities scale (SAS)

The SAS focuses on knee function during sports and recreational activities. Like the ADLS, patients rate symptoms related to their knee performance during physical activities.

This bifurcated approach allows the KOS to provide a comprehensive picture of how knee conditions affect both daily and athletic activities, offering valuable data for managing and treating knee disorders.

How does our Knee Outcome Survey template work?

To effectively utilize our Knee Outcome Survey template, follow these detailed steps:

Step 1: Download use the KOS template

Click the "Download Template" or "Use Template" buttons in the guide, or grab a copy of our template through our template gallery. You may use a digital version or have it printed.

Step 2: Fill out the patient information

Have your patient fill in their personal information, such as their name and date of completion. These will help you track progress over time.

Step 3: Answer and score the ADLS section

Explain the system's rating to the patient to ensure accurate responses. Then, instruct the patient to focus on their knee symptoms and how these affect their daily activities. The patient should rate the severity on the provided scale for each symptom listed.

Afterward, calculate the ADLS score section by following the instructions in the scoring section in the template or this guide.

Step 4: Answer and score the SAS section

Similar to the ADLS, explain the system's rating to the patient to ensure accurate responses. Then, have the patient evaluate their knee function during sports and recreational activities and rate the severity of symptoms related to their knee's performance in physical activities.

Once finished, obtain the SAS score by following the instructions in the template or this guide.

Step 5: Review and discuss the results

Review the calculated ADLS and SAS scores with the patient. Remember to discuss the implications of these scores for their treatment plan, highlighting areas that may need more attention or adjustment.

Step 6: Document and store the completed survey

Ensure the completed survey is documented in the patient's medical records. Use the scores as a baseline for future comparisons to track the patient's progress.

Knee Outcome Survey scoring

The scoring system for the Knee Outcome Survey activities provides a comprehensive evaluation of symptoms and limitations in daily and sporting activities caused by various knee pathologies. Should you need a guide on how to score the Knee Outcome Survey, you may refer to the instructions in the template or the brief one below:

Activities of daily living scale  

For the ADLS each item is scored from 0 to 5, with 5 indicating “no difficulty” and 0 representing “unable to perform.”

To calculate the ADLS score, first sum the scores of all items. The total score is then divided by 70, which is the maximum possible score for the ADLS. This quotient is multiplied by 100 to convert it to a percentage, representing the ADLS percent rating. Higher percentages reflect better functional ability in daily activities, indicating that the knee condition has a less severe impact on everyday life.

Sports activities scale

The SAS follows a similar scoring process. Each item is scored from 0 to 5, with the total score for all SAS items summed. This sum is then divided by 55, the maximum possible score for the SAS. To obtain the SAS percent rating, multiply the quotient by 100. Higher percentages on the SAS indicate better knee function during sports and recreational activities, suggesting that the knee condition has a minimal impact on athletic performance.

Treatment and management for knee disorders

Managing and treating knee conditions involves a multifaceted approach designed to alleviate pain, improve function, and prevent further damage. Here are the different treatment and management options for knee disorders:

• Self-care: This includes compression with a knee brace or bandage, elevating the leg, applying ice, resting the knee, and avoiding activities that exacerbate pain.
• Exercise: Patients are encouraged to engage in low-impact exercises to enhance joint stability and support while improving flexibility and range of motion without placing excessive strain on the knee.
• Weight management: In certain cases, reducing excess weight and maintaining a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular physical activity can reduce knee strain and improve overall knee function.
• Medication: When it comes to knee pain and inflammation, over-the-counter pain relievers may offer localized pain reduction.

In some cases, alternative treatments may be recommended, such as physical therapy to strengthen and rehabilitate the knee, injections of PRP to promote healing, and knee surgery to repair or replace damaged structures within the knee joint.