Self-reported low-back-pain functional disability. Free with attribution.
ODI (Oswestry Disability Index v2.1a) is a validated clinical instrument used to assess self-reported low-back-pain functional disability. The instrument contains 10 items.
Source / attribution: Fairbank JCT, Pynsent PB. Spine. 2000;25(22):2940-2952. Free for clinical/educational use; commercial use requires permission.
The instrument's primary construct — self-reported low-back-pain functional disability — is operationalized through a fixed set of items, each with a defined response format. This standardisation is what allows ODI scores to be compared meaningfully across clinicians, sites, and studies.
Like all screening or assessment instruments, ODI is a structured aid — not a diagnostic test in isolation. Results should be interpreted alongside history, examination, and clinical context. Where a score crosses an actionable threshold, the next step is typically a more detailed clinical evaluation rather than a definitive diagnosis.
Answer all 10 items below to see your ODI score and interpretation.
Each item is scored on a 6-point scale (0–5). Your score updates live as you answer.
All scoring runs in your browser. No data is sent anywhere — close the tab and the answers are gone.
ODI uses simple summation: each item's selected response is converted to a numeric value, and the values are added to produce a total score. Reverse-scored items are inverted before summation.
Scoring notes: Multiply raw score by 2 to get the conventional ODI percentage. Both representations are interchangeable. If 'sex life' is omitted, divide by 45 instead of 50 and multiply by 100.
The cutoffs below are drawn from the published validation literature. Always interpret in clinical context.
| Score range | Band | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10 | Minimal disability (0–20%) | Cope with most activities; no treatment indicated apart from advice. |
| 11–20 | Moderate disability (22–40%) | Pain, sitting, lifting, standing more painful; conservative management. |
| 21–30 | Severe disability (42–60%) | Pain remains main problem; investigations required. |
| 31–40 | Crippled (62–80%) | Pain impinges on all aspects of life; positive intervention required. |
| 41–50 | Bed-bound (82–100%) | Either bed-bound or exaggerating symptoms; observe carefully. |
This is an illustrative walkthrough, not a real patient. Follow the same four steps with your own answers — or use the live calculator at the top of this page.
Read each question and choose the response that best fits. Each response has a number next to it — that number is the item's score. The example below uses illustrative answers.
| # | Item | Example response | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pain intensity (0 = no pain → 5 = unbearable) | 2 — Moderate, comes and goes | 2 |
| 2 | Personal care (washing, dressing) | 2 — Painful, slow and careful | 2 |
| 3 | Lifting | 1 — Heavy weights with pain | 1 |
| 4 | Walking | 2 — > ¼ mile causes pain | 2 |
| 5 | Sitting | 1 — Favourite chair only | 1 |
| 6 | Standing | 2 — > 1 h | 2 |
| 7 | Sleeping | 1 — Occasionally disturbed | 1 |
| 8 | Social life | 2 — No effect except energetic activities | 2 |
| 9 | Travelling | 1 — Anywhere but with extra pain | 1 |
| 10 | Sex life (omit if not applicable) | 2 — Nearly normal but very painful | 2 |
Add up all the item scores you noted in Step 1.
2 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 16
Find the row in the interpretation table whose range contains your total:
Total = 16 falls between 11 and 20 → Moderate disability (22–40%)
Moderate disability (22–40%). Pain, sitting, lifting, standing more painful; conservative management.
A score is one input alongside history and examination. ODI supports clinical judgment — it does not replace it.
If ODI doesn't fit your context, related instruments in orthopaedics include:
| Scale | Measures | Items | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| NDI | Self-reported neck-pain functional disability | 10 | — |
| Oxford Knee Score | Pain and function after total knee replacement | 12 | — |
| Oxford Hip Score | Pain and function after total hip replacement | 12 | — |
| LEFS | Function with lower-extremity musculoskeletal disorders | 20 | — |
| BASFI | Functional limitation in ankylosing spondylitis | 10 | — |
| IPSS | Lower-urinary-tract symptoms in men | 7 | — |
| IIEF-5 / SHIM | Erectile dysfunction screen | 5 | — |
| DLQI | Skin-disease impact on health-related quality of life | 10 | ≈ 2 minutes |
ODI (Oswestry Disability Index v2.1a) is a validated instrument that assesses self-reported low-back-pain functional disability.
ODI contains 10 items. Items are summed to produce a total score.
Scores of 41–50 fall in the "Bed-bound (82–100%)" band. Either bed-bound or exaggerating symptoms; observe carefully.
Scores of 0–10 fall in the "Minimal disability (0–20%)" band. Cope with most activities; no treatment indicated apart from advice.
ODI is free to use with attribution. Fairbank JCT, Pynsent PB. Spine. 2000;25(22):2940-2952. Free for clinical/educational use; commercial use requires permission.
Fairbank JCT, Pynsent PB. The Oswestry Disability Index. Spine. 2000;25(22):2940-2952.
No. ODI is a structured assessment aid. A score is one input alongside history, examination, and clinical context. Treatment decisions should never rest on a screening score alone.
ODI is supported by the following peer-reviewed sources: