Harris Hip Score

Clinical intent

The Harris Hip Scale (HHS) was developed for the assessment of the results of hip surgery, and is intended to evaluate various hip disabilities and methods of treatment in an adult population. The original version was published 1969[1]. The HHS is an outcome measure administered by a qualified health care professional, such as a physician or a physical therapist.

Calculation

Calculate range of motion score

The range of motion score is calculated by summing the range of motion of the individual hip movements (flexion, abduction, adduction, internal & external rotation) and based on the total range of motion a corresponding score can be determined (see table below).

Calculate Harris Hip Score

The total Harris Hip Score is calculated by summing:

1. Pain score
2. Function score (sum of all function related questions)
3. Deformity score: to score this section all four must be 'yes', then get 4 points. Nb. Not 1 point for each four or nothing.
4. Range of motion score (see above)

Clinical interpretation

The HHS is a measure of dysfunction so the higher the score, the better the outcome for the individual. The maximum score possible is 100, the lowest possible score is 0.

References

[1] Harris WH. Traumatic arthritis of the hip after dislocation and acetabular fractures: treatment by mold arthroplasty. An end-result study using a new method of result evaluation. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1969 Jun;51(4):737-55. [2] Nilsdotter A, Bremander A. Measures of hip function and symptoms: Harris Hip Score (HHS), Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS), Oxford Hip Score (OHS), Lequesne Index of Severity for Osteoarthritis of the Hip (LISOH), and American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) Hip and Knee Questionnaire. Arthritis Care Res. 2011. 63; S11 Supplement: Special Outcomes: S200-S207. Accessed 21 June 2019.