Brazilian version of the Kerlan-Jobe orthopedic clinic shoulder and elbow score: translation and cross-cultural adaptation.

BACKGROUND

The Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Clinic (KJOC) Shoulder and Elbow Score is commonly used to assess the functional status of athletes with conditions affecting the shoulder and elbow. However, a Brazilian Portuguese version of the KJOC questionnaire is currently unavailable.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to develop a Brazilian Portuguese version of the KJOC questionnaire.

DESIGN AND SETTING

This translation and cultural adaptation study was conducted at the Federal University of Paraíba, Brazil.

METHODS

The procedures adopted in this study followed guidelines recommending translation by two independent translators, synthesis of the translations, back-translation performed by two native English-speaking translators, analysis by an expert committee, and pre-testing. The Portuguese version was tested with 32 athletes to assess their understanding of the assessment tool. Items were deemed adequate if they were understood by at least 90% of the athletes.

RESULTS

The terms and expressions of some original items were modified to achieve better comprehensibility in the Brazilian context. No further modifications were necessary after the pre-test; all terms were comprehensible to over 90% of athletes.

CONCLUSION

The translation and cultural adaptation of the KJOC questionnaire into Portuguese were completed, resulting in a Brazilian version of the scale. Further studies are needed to evaluate the reliability and validity of this scale.