ODI

I'm a nerd in touch with her emotions and can express them.
But I'm still a nerd.

So when I was up the other night (unable to find a comfortable position in which to sleep + mind preoccupied), I started researching lower back artificial disc replacement studies: the efficacy of multi-level disc replacement; post-op follow-ups in the 2-10 year ranges; comparison of different studies, etc.

A term kept on coming up — ODI — the Oswestry Disability Index.  The short questionnaire is designed to help doctors and researchers gauge where a person is in terms of their pain and how their pain affects their life.  The idea is that a doctor or researcher can ask these questions at various stages in a person's care (prior to surgery and at various post-op intervals) and compare as to whether there was an improvement.

There are 10 sections to the ODI questionnaire, with 6 possible answers in each section. Point values are assigned from 0 to 5 for each question depending on how the patient responds.  The sections are (1) Pain Intensity (2) Personal Care (3) Lifting (4) Walking (5) Sitting (6) Standing (7) Sleeping (8) Sex Life (if applicable) (9) Social Life (10) Traveling.  (Notice "Exercise" is not a category??)


The answers are then converted to a score and the score then determines the percent disability:

0% to 20% (minimal disability): Patients can cope with most activities of daily living. No treatment may be indicated except for suggestions on lifting, posture, physical fitness and diet. Patients with sedentary occupations (ex. secretaries) may experience more problems than others.

21%-40% (moderate disability): Patients may experience more pain and problems with sitting, lifting and standing. Travel and social life are more difficult. Patients may be off work. Personal care, sleeping and sexual activity may not be grossly affected. Conservative treatment may be sufficient. 

41%-60% (severe disability): Pain is a primary problem for these patients, but they may also be experiencing significant problems in travel, personal care, social life, sexual activity and sleep. A detailed evaluation is appropriate. 

61%-80% (crippled): Back pain has an impact on all aspects of daily living and work. Active treatment is required. 

81%-100%: These patients may be bed bound or exaggerating their symptoms. Careful evaluation is recommended.

If I were to take the test today, I would score a 46%.  This makes me sad.  I also realized when doing the test how much I've either had to give up (like playing softball/volleyball or volunteering at the animal shelter) or how much I avoid (dating) cause of my back. It makes me think of all the times I've turned down doing something I want to do (like going to museums) because I know how it'll affect me (walking on marble is the worst).

The questions also made me think of some stories that I've never told.  For instance, the travel section:

•  I can travel anywhere without pain [0]
•  I can travel anywhere but it gives me extra pain [1]
•  Pain is bad but I manage journeys over two hours [2]
•  Pain restricts me to journeys of less than one hour [3]
•  Pain restricts me to short necessary journeys under 30 minutes [4]
•  Pain prevents me from travelling except to receive treatment [5]