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Date of completion
Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire
Clinician's name (or ref)
Patient's name (or ref)
 
This questionnaire has been designed to give your therapist information as to how your back pain has affected your ability to manage in everyday life.  Please answer every question by placing a mark in the box that best describes your condition today.
During the past 4 weeks......  
Section 1 - Pain Intensity   Section 6 - Standing
I have no pain at the moment   I can stand as long as I want without extra pain.
The pain is very mild at the moment   I can stand as long as I want but it extra my pain.
The pain is moderate at the moment   Pain prevents me from standing for more than 1 hour.
The pain is fairly severe at the moment   Pain prevents me from standing for more than ½ an hour.
The pain is very severe at the moment   Pain prevents me from standing for more than 10 minutes.
The pain is the worst imaginable at the moment   Pain prevents me from standing at all.
     
Section 2 - Personal Care (e.g., Washing, Dressing)   Section 7 - Sleeping
I can look after myself normally without causing extra pain   My sleep is never disturbed by pain.
I can look after myself normally but it is very painful   My sleep is occasionally disturbed by pain.
It is painful to look after myself and I am slow and careful   Because of pain I have less than 6 hours sleep.
I need some help but manage most of my personal care   Because of pain I have less than 4 hours sleep.
I need help every day in most aspects of self care   Because of pain I have less than 2 hours sleep.
I do not get dressed, wash with difficulty and stay in bed   Pain prevents me from sleeping at all.
     
Section 3 - Lifting   Section 8 - Sex Life ( if applicable )
I can lift heavy weights without extra pain   My sex life is normal and causes no extra pain.
I can lift heavy weights but it gives extra pain   My sex life is normal but causes some extra pain.
Pain prevents me from lifting heavy weights off the floor, but I can manage if the weights are conveniently positioned (e.g., on a table).   My sex life is nearly normal but is very painful.
Pain prevents me from lifting heavy weights, but I can manage light to medium weights if they are conveniently positioned.   My sex life is severely restricted by pain.
I can lift only very light weights.   My sex life is nearly absent because of pain.
I cannot lift or carry anything at all.   Pain prevents any sex life at all
     
Section 4 - Walking   Section 9 - Social Life
Pain does not prevent me from walking any distance.   My social life is normal and causes me no extra pain.
Pain prevents me from walking more than 1 mile.  (1 mile = 1.6 km)   My social life is normal, but increases the degree of pain.
Pain prevents me from walking more than 1/4 mile.   Pain has no significant effect on my social life apart from limiting my more energetic interests (e.g., sports, dancing).
Pain prevents me from walking more than 100 yards.   Painhas restricted my social life and I do not go out as often.
I can walk only with crutches or a stick.   Pain has restricted my social life to my home.
I am in bed most of the time and have to crawl to the toilet.   I have no social life because of my pain.
     
Section 5 - Sitting   Section 10 - Traveling
I can sit in any chair as long as I like   I can travel anywhere without pain.
I can sit in my favourite chair for as long as I like   I can travel anywhere, but it gives extra pain.
Pain prevents me from sitting for more than 1 hour.   Pain is bad but I mangage journeys of over 2 hours.
Pain prevents me from sitting for more than ½ an hour   Pain restricts me to journeys of less than 1 hour.
Pain prevents me from sitting for more that 10 minutes   Pain restricts me to short necessary journeys under 30 minutes
Pain prevents me from sitting at all.   Pain prevents me from travelling except to recieve treatment
     
Previous Treatment
Over the past three months have you received treatment, tablets or medicines of any kind for your back or leg pain? (Please tick the appropriate box. )

 
......if yes, please state the type of treatment you have received)

 
     

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The Oswestry Low back pain Score is: %

Reference for Score: Fairbank JC, Couper J, Davies JB, O'Brien JP. The Oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire. Physiotherapy. 1980 Aug;66(8):271-3. link