Oswestry Low Back Pain Scale Chart
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1Oswestry Low Back Pain Scale
Please rate the severity of your pain by circling a number below:
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
No pain
Unbearable pain
Name
Date
Instructions: Please circle the ONE NUMBER in each section which most closely describes your problem.
Section 1 – Pain Intensity
Section 6 – Standing
0. The pain comes and goes and is very mild.
0. I can stand as long as I want without pain.
1. The pain is mild and does not vary much.
1. I have some pain on standing but it does not increase with time.
2. The pain comes and goes and is moderate.
2. I cannot stand for longer than 1 hour without increasing pain.
3. The pain is moderate and does not vary much.
3. I cannot stand for longer than ½ hour without increasing pain.
4. The pain comes and goes and is severe.
4. I cannot stand for longer than 10 minutes without increasing pain.
5. The pain is severe and does not vary much.
5. I avoid standing because it increases the pain immediately.
Section 2 – Personal Care (Washing, Dressing, etc.)
Section 7 – Sleeping
0. I would not have to change my way of washing or
0. I get no pain in bed.
dressing in order to avoid pain.
1. I get pain in bed but it does not prevent me from sleeping well.
1. I do not normally change my way of washing or
2. Because of pain my normal nights sleep is reduced by less than
dressing even though it causes some pain.
one-quarter.
2. Washing and dressing increase the pain but I
3. Because of pain my normal nights sleep is reduced by less than
manage not to change my way of doing it.
one-half.
3. Washing and dressing increase the pain and I find it
4. Because of pain my normal nights sleep is reduced by less than
necessary to change my way of doing it.
three-quarters.
4. Because of the pain I am unable to do some washing
5. Pain prevents me from sleeping at all.
and dressing without help.
5. Because of the pain I am unable to do any washing
and dressing without help.
Section 3 – Lifting
Section 8 – Social Life
0. I can lift heavy weights without extra pain.
0. My social life is normal and gives me no pain.
1. I can lift heavy weights but it gives extra pain.
1. My social life is normal but it increases the degree of pain.
2. Pain prevents me lifting heavy weights off the floor.
2. Pain has no significant effect on my social life apart from limiting
3. Pain prevents me lifting heavy weights off the floor, but I can
my more energetic interests, e.g., dancing, etc.
manage if they are conveniently positioned, e.g., on a table.
3. Pain has restricted my social life and I do not go out very often.
4. Pain prevents me lifting heavy weights but I can manage light
4. Pain has restricted my social life to my home.
to medium weights if they are conveniently positioned.
5. I have hardly any social life because of the pain.
5. I can only lift very light weights at most.
Section 4 – Walking
Section 9 – Traveling
0. I have no pain on walking.
0. I get no pain when traveling.
1. I have some pain on walking but it does not increase
1. I get some pain when traveling but none of my usual forms of
with distance.
travel make it any worse.
2. I cannot walk more than 1 mile without increasing pain.
2. I get extra pain while traveling but it does not compel me to seek
3. I cannot walk more than ½ mile without increasing pain.
alternate forms of travel.
4. I cannot walk more than ¼ mile without increasing pain.
3. I get extra pain while traveling which compels to seek alternative
5. I cannot walk at all without increasing pain.
forms of travel.
4. Pain restricts me to short necessary journeys under ½ hour.
5. Pain restricts all forms of travel.
Section 5 – Sitting
Section 10 – Changing Degree of Pain
0. I can sit in any chair as long as I like.
0. My pain is rapidly getting better.
1. I can sit only in my favorite chair as long as I like.
1. My pain fluctuates but is definitely getting better.
2. Pain prevents me from sitting more than 1 hour.
2. My pain seems to be getting better but improvement is slow.
3. Pain prevents me from sitting more than ½ hour.
3. My pain is neither getting better or worse.
4. Pain prevents me from sitting more than 10 minutes.
4. My pain is gradually worsening.
5. I avoid sitting because it increases pain immediately.
5. My pain is rapidly worsening.
TOTAL
Index Score = [Sum of all statements selected / (# of sections with a statement selected x 5)] x 100
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0 votes
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Parent category: Medical