Table 1.

Criteria used to compute the Coleman Methodology Score for studies reporting outcomes of SER ankle fractures

Criterion	Category	Score
Part A: only one score to be given for each of the seven sections
1. Study size	< 25	0
	25–49	4
	50–74	7
	≥ 75	10
2. Mean followup	< 2 years	0
	2–4 years	4
	5–10 years	7
	> 10 years	10
3. Number of different fracture management methods used
	Not stated, unclear, or < 90% of subjects receiving the same management modality	0
	More than one implant version, but ≥ 90% of subjects receiving one technique	7
	One technique used	10
4. Type of study
	Retrospective cohort study	0
	Prospective cohort study	10
	Randomized, controlled trial	15
5. Description of indications/diagnosis (eg, fracture type)
	No	0
	Yes	5
6. Descriptions of management method(s)
	Inadequate (not stated, unclear)	0
	Adequate (details of protocol/procedure given)	5
7. Rehabilitation protocol described
	Yes	10
	No	0
Part B: scores may be given for each option in each of the three sections if applicable
1. Outcome criteria
	Outcome measures clearly defined	2
	Timing of outcome assessment clearly stated	2
	Use of outcome criteria that has reported reliability	3
	General health measure included	3
2. Procedure of assessing outcomes
	Subjects recruited	5
	Investigator independent of surgeon	4
	Written assessment	3
	Completion of assessment by patients themselves with minimal investigator assistance	3
3. Description of subject selection process
	Selection criteria reported and unbiased	5
	Recruitment rate reported ≥ 80%	5
	Recruitment rate reported < 80%	0

SER = supination-external rotation; (The original description of the Coleman Methodology Score was published by Wiley Interscience in: Coleman BD, Khan KM, Maffulli N, Cook JL, Wark JD. Studies of surgical outcome after patellar tendinopathy: clinical significance of methodological deficiencies and guidelines for future studies. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2000;10:2–11.)