Understanding the limitation of these scales must be considered as it is entirely subjective. It should also be kept in mind that tools such as the PSFS (Patient Specific Functional Scale) may have more validity for unique problems that aren’t captured on standard outcomes tools or for those patients that are high functioning in their ADL’s but may have a critical component of their life limited by their pain and/or dysfunction. For example the marathon runner that has no ADL limitations but can no longer run long distances secondary to knee pain.
High
Generally this is related to the key and relevant activiites of that particular individual. They may have 8/10 pain reaching behind their back, but only do that 2x per day. The symptoms are severe and should be considered when determining the dosage of the intervention as well as the vigrousness of the examination.
Mod
This patient can still participate in most ADL’s although pain may be experienced during the more challenging ones but can still be completed but with modifications, limitations and/or mild to moderate symptoms.
Low
The examination for this patient is highly centered around biomechanics and is vigorous. The dosage will likely be much higher for this population. This patient has minimal functional limitations but may not have returned back to the general populace. Perhaps they are late in their rehab but have yet to engage in plyometric/or higher levels of functional integration. Generally, social/recreational limitations are the chief impairment. Occassionally the pain levels are moderate, but do not limit most functional movements.
