Resolution Percentage for SIMS

Foster: 12/29/99

This is a proposal based on the developing area of outcomes research. This also should accompany a change in the Functional Percentage on SIMS to reflect the athlete's perception of their maximum level of function compared with their best efforts. This is just a single percentage. In this manner, we might be more in line with the current thinking on the percentage outcomes of our service and have a common mode of estimating these things that is not so cumbersome that we look for easy options and differently for every one. Please review these recommendations as a request for feedback.


Resolution can be determined by the clinician's observation of the patient's maximum level of physical activity. The criteria for maximum level is that activity at which no increase of symptoms occur following a 24 hour period. For the following scale, first look at the left hand column to determine the generic activity. Then start at the highest level for that activity and work down by rows and from right to left in order to determine the percentage of resolution. Use the criteria for maximum levels. Percentages between the low and the high ends at each activity level represent the relative criteria that range between the two extremes. Some patients may not reach the top three levels while they are with us or under our care or while participating. This is where 999 status (permanent disability) and a related percentage would be appropriate, but if they do return to full practice the final resolution percentage should be between 91-99%.