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. 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.

1. Oswestry Low Back Pain Questionnaire
Pain Intensity
__ I can tolerate the pain without usingpain killers
__ The pain is bad but I manage without pain killers
__ Pain killersgivecomplete relief from pain
__ Pain killersgivemoderate relief from pain
__ Pain killersgivevery littlerelief from pain
__ Pain killershaveno effect on the pain;I don’t usethem
Standing
__ I can stand as longas I want without extra pain
__ I can stand as longas I want but itgiven me extra pain
__ Pain prevents me from standingfor >1 hour
__ Pain prevents me from standing>1⁄2 hour
__ Pain prevents me from standing>10 minutes
__ Pain prevents me from standingatall
Personal Care (washing,dressing,etc.)
__ I can look after myself normally without causingextra pain
__ I can look after myself normally butit 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 aspectof self-care
__ I cannotget dressed,wash with difficulty & stay in bed
Sleeping
__ Pain does not prevent me from sleepingwell
__ I can sleep well only by usingtablets
__ 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 sleepingat all
Lifting
__ I can liftheavy weights without extra pain
__ I can liftheavy weights but it gives extra pain
__ Pain prevents me from liftingheavy weights off the floor,but
I can manage if they are on a table
__ Pain prevents me from liftingheavy weights but I can
manage if they areconveniently placed
__ I can liftonly very lightweights
__ I cannotliftor carry anythingatall
Sex Life
__ My sex lifeis normal & causes no extra pain
__ My sex lifeis normal but causes some extra pain
__ My sex lifeis nearly normal but is very painful
__ My sex lifeis severely restricted by pain
__ My sex lifeis nearly absentbecause of pain
__ Pain prevents any sex lifeat all
Walking
__ Pain does not prevent me walkingany distances
__ Pain prevents me walkingmore than 1 mile
__ Pain prevents me walkingmore than 1⁄2 mile
__ Pain prevents me walkingmore than 1⁄4 mile
__ I can only walk usinga stick or crutches
__ I am in bed most of the time & have to crawl to the toilet
Social Life
__ My social lifeis normal & gives me no extra pain
__ My social lifeis normal butincreases thedegree of pain
__ Pain has no significanteffect on my social lifeapartfrom
limitingmy more energetic interests (e.g., dancing)
__ Pain has restricted my social life& I do not go out as often
__ Pain has restricted my social lifeto my home
__ I have no social lifebecauseof pain
Sitting
__ I can sitin any chair as longas I like
__ I can only sitin my favorite chair as longas I like
__ Pain prevents me sittingmore than 1 hour
__ Pain prevents me sittingmore than 1⁄2 hour
__ Pain prevents me sittingmore than 10 minutes
__ Pain prevents me sittingatall
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 shortnecessary journeys under 30
minutes
__ Pain prevents me from travelingexcept to the doctor or
hospital
Scoring: The items are scored in descending order with the top statement = 0 & the bottom statement = 5. The sum of the scoreis
multiplied by 2.
Results: 0–20% = minimal disability;20%–40%= moderate disability;40%–60% = severe disability;60%–80% = crippled;80%–100%
= bed bound or symptom magnification