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Special Test

Oswestry Disability Index

Oswestry Disability Index or Oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire is a self-administered questionnaire divided into ten sections designed to assess limitations of various activities of daily living resulting from low back pain.

Each section is scored on a 0 – 5 scale, 5 representing the greatest disability. The index is calculated by dividing the summed score by the total possible score, which is then multiplied by 100 and expressed as a percentage.

Oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire has questions about: Pain Intensity, Standing, Personal Care, Sleeping, Lifting, Sex Life, Walking, social life, Sitting and Traveling.

Download Oswestry Disability Index PDF

Oswestry Disability Index Questions

Pain Intensity

  1. I can tolerate the pain without using pain killers
  2. The pain is bad but I manage without pain killers
  3. Pain killers give complete relief from pain
  4. Pain killers give moderate relief from pain
  5. Pain killers give very little relief from pain
  6. Pain killers have no effect on the pain; I don’t use them
See Also: Neck Disability Index

Standing

  1. I can stand as long as I want without extra pain
  2. I can stand as long as I want but it given me extra pain
  3. Pain prevents me from standing for >1 hour
  4. Pain prevents me from standing >1⁄2 hour
  5. Pain prevents me from standing >10 minutes
  6. Pain prevents me from standing at all

Personal Care (washing, dressing, etc.)

  1. I can look after myself normally without causing extra pain
  2. I can look after myself normally but it causes extra pain
  3. It is painful to look after myself & I am slow & careful
  4. I need some help but manage most of my personal care
  5. I need help every day in most aspect of self care
  6. I cannot get dressed, wash with difficulty & stay in bed

Sleeping

  1. Pain does not prevent me from sleeping well
  2. I can sleep well only by using tablets
  3. Even when I take tablets, I have <6 hours sleep
  4. Even when I take tablets, I have <4 hours sleep
  5. Even when I take tablets, I have <2 hours sleep
  6. Pain prevents me from sleeping at all

Lifting

  1. I can lift heavy weights without extra pain
  2. I can lift heavy weights but it gives extra pain
  3. Pain prevents me from lifting heavy weights off the floor, but I can manage if they are on a table
  4. Pain prevents me from lifting heavy weights but I can manage if they are conveniently placed
  5. I can lift only very light weights
  6. I cannot lift or carry anything at all

Sex Life

  1. My sex life is normal & causes no extra pain
  2. My sex life is normal but causes some extra pain
  3. My sex life is nearly normal but is very painful
  4. My sex life is severely restricted by pain
  5. My sex life is nearly absent because of pain
  6. Pain prevents any sex life at all

Walking

  1. Pain does not prevent me walking any distances
  2. Pain prevents me walking more than 1 mile
  3. Pain prevents me walking more than 1⁄2 mile
  4. Pain prevents me walking more than 1⁄4 mile
  5. I can only walk using a stick or crutches
  6. I am in bed most of the time & have to crawl to the toilet

Social Life

  1. My social life is normal & gives me no extra pain
  2. My social life is normal but increases the degree of pain
  3. Pain has no significant effect on my social life apart from limiting my more energetic interests (e.g., dancing)
  4. Pain has restricted my social life & I do not go out as often
  5. Pain has restricted my social life to my home
  6. I have no social life because of pain

Sitting

  1. I can sit in any chair as long as I like
  2. I can only sit in my favorite chair as long as I like
  3. Pain prevents me sitting more than 1 hour
  4. Pain prevents me sitting more than 1⁄2 hour
  5. Pain prevents me sitting more than 10 minutes
  6. Pain prevents me sitting at all

Traveling

  1. I can travel anywhere without extra pain
  2. I can travel anywhere but it gives me extra pain
  3. Pain is bad but I manage journeys over 2 hours
  4. pain restricts me to journeys < 1 hour
  5. Pain restricts me to short necessary journeys under 30 minutes
  6. Pain prevents me from traveling except to the doctor or hospital.
Oswestry Low Back Pain Questionnaire
Oswestry Low Back Pain Questionnaire

Oswestry Score Results:

  1. 0–20% = minimal disability;
  2. 20%–40% = moderate disability;
  3. 40%–60% = severe disability;
  4. 60%–80% = crippled;
  5. 80%–100% = bed bound or symptom magnification.
Oswestry Score Results
Oswestry Score Results

References

  1. Mehra A, Baker D, Disney S, Pynsent PB. Oswestry Disability Index scoring made easy. Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2008 Sep;90(6):497-9. doi: 10.1308/003588408X300984. Epub 2008 Jul 2. PMID: 18598595; PMCID: PMC2647244.

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