Simple Shoulder Test
12-item assessment of shoulder pain, function, and disability across comfort, mobility, strength, and work capacity.
Provided by
EVAL FoundationInstructions
The Simple Shoulder Test (SST) is a 12-item functional assessment instrument designed to evaluate shoulder disability across multiple domains including comfort, range of motion, strength, and activities of daily living. The Simple Shoulder Test (SST) was originally published in 1993 in the conference proceedings of the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) Symposium Series The shoulder; A balance of mobility and stability.
Each item is scored dichotomously (Yes=1, No=0), with total scores ranging from 0 to 12, where higher scores indicate better shoulder function.
The SST is valuable for initial assessment, treatment planning, and monitoring functional recovery in patients with shoulder pathology. It is sensitive to clinically meaningful changes and provides rapid, objective measurement of shoulder disability suitable for busy clinical settings and outcome tracking.
Original Literature:
Lippitt, S. B., Harryman, D. T., & Matsen, F. A. (1993). A practical tool for evaluating shoulder function: The Simple Shoulder Test. In F. A. Matsen, F. H. Fu, & R. J. Hawkins (Eds.), The shoulder: A balance of mobility and stability (pp. 501–518). American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Validation Literature:
Godfrey, Jenna, et al. “Reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the simple shoulder test: psychometric properties by age and injury type.” Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery 16.3 (2007): 260-267.
Additional Literature:
Beaton, Dorcas, and Robin R. Richards. “Assessing the reliability and responsiveness of 5 shoulder questionnaires.” Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery 7.6 (1998): 565-572.
All questions & possible results
Simple Shoulder TestTitle not visible
1. Is your shoulder comfortable with your arm at rest by your side?
Select one option:
- Yes
- No
2. Does your shoulder allow you to sleep comfortably?
Select one option:
- Yes
- No
3. Can you reach the small of your back to tuck in your shirt with your hand?
Select one option:
- Yes
- No
4. Can you place your hand behind your head with the elbow straight out to the side?
Select one option:
- Yes
- No
5. Can you place a coin on a shelf at the level of your shoulder without bending your elbow?
Select one option:
- Yes
- No
6. Can you lift 1 pound (a full pint container) to the level of your shoulder without bending your elbow?
Select one option:
- Yes
- No
7. Can you lift 8 pounds (a full gallon container) to the level of the top of your head without bending your elbow?
Select one option:
- Yes
- No
8. Can you carry 20 pounds at your side with the affected extremity?
Select one option:
- Yes
- No
9. Do you think you can toss a softball underhand 10 yards with the affected extremity?
Select one option:
- Yes
- No
10. Do you think you can throw a softball overhand 20 yards with the affected extremity?
Select one option:
- Yes
- No
11. Can you wash the back of your opposite shoulder with the affected extremity?
Select one option:
- Yes
- No
12. Would your shoulder allow you to work full-time at your usual job?
Select one option:
- Yes
- No
Possible results
Simple Shoulder Test Score
Higher scores indicate better shoulder function
Pertinent Positive: Shoulder not comfortable at rest
Pertinent Negative: Shoulder comfortable at rest
Citation
Lippitt, S. B., Harryman, D. T., & Matsen, F. A. (1993). A practical tool for evaluating shoulder function: The Simple Shoulder Test. In F. A. Matsen, F. H. Fu, & R. J. Hawkins (Eds.), The shoulder: A balance of mobility and stability (pp. 501–518). American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
