Waddell and Main developed a score for calculating impairment associated with low back pain. The authors are from the Western Infirmary in Glasgow, Scotland.
Parameters:
(1) major problem
(2) time pattern
(3) history of previous fracture
(4) history of previous back surgery
(5) root compression
(6) lumbar flexion in cm, using the technique described by Macrae and Wright or Moll and Wright
(7) straight leg raising with distraction, left leg
(8) straight leg raising with distraction, right leg
|
Parameter |
Finding |
Points |
|
major problem |
none |
0 |
|
|
back pain |
0 |
|
|
back and referred pain |
8 |
|
|
root pain |
-2 |
|
|
spinal stenosis with neurogenic claudication |
8 |
|
time pattern |
acute |
0 |
|
|
recurring |
4 |
|
|
chronic |
8 |
|
previous fracture |
none |
0 |
|
|
transverse process |
1 |
|
|
wedge compression |
2 |
|
|
fracture dislocation |
6 |
|
previous back surgery |
none |
0 |
|
|
1 |
3 |
|
|
> 1 |
6 |
|
root compression |
none |
0 |
|
|
doubtful |
1 |
|
|
definite |
2 |
|
lumbar flexion |
distance in cm |
(- 2) * cms |
|
straight leg raising |
angle for left leg |
(-1) * (degrees) / 10 |
|
|
angle for right leg |
(-1) * (degrees) / 10 |
approximate total body impairment =
= 28 + SUM(parameters)
Impression:
• minimum score: around 0
• maximum score: around 58
• The higher the score, the greater the degree of impairment.
Purpose: To evaluate the degree of impairment in a patient with low back pain using the score of Waddell and Main.
Specialty: Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation, Surgery, orthopedic, Neurology
Objective: severity, prognosis, stage, disability and performance
ICD-10: M54.5,
