Oswestry

[ The Test | Interpretation | Scoring ]

The Oswestry Disability Index:

The Oswestry Disability Index (aka: Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire) is an extremely important tool that researchers and disability evaluators use to measure a patient's permanent functional disability. The test has been around for 25 years (2) and is considered the "gold standard" of low back functional outcome tools (1).

INSTRUCTIONS: Simply answer the below questions by choosing the 'best answer' that describes your 'typical' pain and/or limitations within the last week or two. You can only choose ONE answer. If your limitations fall in-between two questions, pick the higher point value question. After you have finished the test, add up your points, divide that number by 50, and multiply by 100 to get your percent disability.

There are currently four English versions of the OSI floating around. I will use version 2.0 which is the same that Stanford uses. Let's take the test!

Fairbanks has contacted me and will not allow this version to be public. If you're interested, you can get it free here after agreeing to a disclosure statement:

http://www.mapi-trust.org/questionnaires/63

INTERPRETATION:

Now, simply add up your points for each section and plug it in to the following formula in order to calculate your level of disability: point total / 50 X 100 = % disability (aka: 'point total' divided by '50' multiply by ' 100 = percent disability)

For example: my Current level of disability, 11-11-04 is calculated as follows:
14 / 50 X 100 = 28%

ODI SCORING:

0% to 20%: minimal disability: The patient can cope with most living activities. Usually no treatment is indicated apart from advice on lifting sitting and exercise.

21%-40%: moderate disability: The patient experiences more pain and difficulty with sitting lifting and standing. Travel and social life are more difficult and they may be disabled from work. Personal care sexual activity and sleeping are not grossly affected and the patient can usually be managed by conservative means.

41%-60%: severe disability: Pain remains the main problem in this group but activities of daily living are affected. These patients require a detailed investigation.

61%-80%: crippled: Back pain impinges on all aspects of the patient's life. Positive intervention is required.

81%-100%: These patients are either bed-bound or exaggerating their symptoms.

References:

1) Fairbank JC, Pynsent PB, "The Oswestry Disability Index." Spine 2000; 25(22):2940-2952

2) Fairbank JCT, Couper J, Davies JB. "The Oswestry low Back Pain Questionnaire." Physiotherapy 1980; 66: 271-273.

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