Special Test
Oswestry Disability Index
Last updated on:
January 18, 2025
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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
- I can tolerate the pain without using pain killers
- The pain is bad but I manage without pain killers
- Pain killers give complete relief from pain
- Pain killers give moderate relief from pain
- Pain killers give very little relief from pain
- Pain killers have no effect on the pain; I don’t use them
See Also: Neck Disability Index
Standing
- I can stand as long as I want without extra pain
- I can stand as long as I want but it given me extra pain
- Pain prevents me from standing for >1 hour
- Pain prevents me from standing >1⁄2 hour
- Pain prevents me from standing >10 minutes
- Pain prevents me from standing at all
Personal Care (washing, dressing, etc.)
- I can look after myself normally without causing extra pain
- I can look after myself normally but it causes extra pain
- It is painful to look after myself & I am slow & careful
- I need some help but manage most of my personal care
- I need help every day in most aspect of self care
- I cannot get dressed, wash with difficulty & stay in bed
Sleeping
- Pain does not prevent me from sleeping well
- I can sleep well only by using tablets
- Even when I take tablets, I have <6 hours sleep
- Even when I take tablets, I have <4 hours sleep
- Even when I take tablets, I have <2 hours sleep
- Pain prevents me from sleeping at all
Lifting
- I can lift heavy weights without extra pain
- I can lift heavy weights but it gives extra pain
- Pain prevents me from lifting heavy weights off the floor, but I can manage if they are on a table
- Pain prevents me from lifting heavy weights but I can manage if they are conveniently placed
- I can lift only very light weights
- I cannot lift or carry anything at all
Sex Life
- My sex life is normal & causes no extra pain
- My sex life is normal but causes some extra pain
- My sex life is nearly normal but is very painful
- My sex life is severely restricted by pain
- My sex life is nearly absent because of pain
- Pain prevents any sex life at all
Walking
- Pain does not prevent me walking any distances
- Pain prevents me walking more than 1 mile
- Pain prevents me walking more than 1⁄2 mile
- Pain prevents me walking more than 1⁄4 mile
- I can only walk using a stick or crutches
- I am in bed most of the time & have to crawl to the toilet
Social Life
- My social life is normal & gives me no extra pain
- My social life is normal but increases the degree of pain
- Pain has no significant effect on my social life apart from limiting my more energetic interests (e.g., dancing)
- Pain has restricted my social life & I do not go out as often
- Pain has restricted my social life to my home
- I have no social life because of pain
Sitting
- I can sit in any chair as long as I like
- I can only sit in my favorite chair as long as I like
- Pain prevents me sitting more than 1 hour
- Pain prevents me sitting more than 1⁄2 hour
- Pain prevents me sitting more than 10 minutes
- Pain prevents me sitting at all
Traveling
- I can travel anywhere without extra pain
- I can travel anywhere but it gives me extra pain
- Pain is bad but I manage journeys over 2 hours
- pain restricts me to journeys < 1 hour
- Pain restricts me to short necessary journeys under 30 minutes
- Pain prevents me from traveling except to the doctor or hospital.

Oswestry Score Results:
- 0–20% = minimal disability;
- 20%–40% = moderate disability;
- 40%–60% = severe disability;
- 60%–80% = crippled;
- 80%–100% = bed bound or symptom magnification.

References
- 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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