Kurtzke Disability Scale
EDSS steps 1.0 to 4.5 refer to patients who are fully ambulatory, and the precise step number is defined by the Functional System score(s). EDSS steps 5.0 to 9.5 are defined by the impairment to ambulation. This is an abridged version of the Kurtzke Scale.
0.0 Normal neurologic exam 1.0 No disability, minimal symptoms 1.5 No disability, minimal signs in more than one functional system 2.0 Slightly more disability in one functional system 2.5 Slightly greater disability in two functional systems 3.0 Moderate disability in one functional system; fully ambulatory 3.5 Fully ambulatory but with moderate disability in one functional system and more than minimal disability in several others 4.0 Fully ambulatory without aid, self-sufficient, up and about some 12 hours a day despite relatively severe disability; able to walk without aid or rest some 500 meters 4.5 Fully ambulatory without aid, up and about much of the day, able to work a full day, may otherwise have some limitation of full activity or require minimal assistance; characterized by relatively severe disability; able to walk without aid or rest some 300 meters. 5.0 Ambulatory without aid or rest for about 200 meters; disability severe enough to impair full daily activities (work a full day without special provisions 5.5 Ambulatory without aid or rest for about 100 meters; disability severe enough to preclude full daily activities 6.0 Intermittent or unilateral constant assistance (cane, crutch, brace) required to walk about 100 meters with or without resting 6.5 Constant bilateral assistance (canes, crutches, braces) required to walk about 20 meters without resting 7.0 Unable to walk beyond approximately five meters even with aid, essentially restricted to wheelchair; wheels self in standard wheelchair and transfers alone; up and about in wheelchair some 12 hours a day 7.5 Unable to take more than a few steps; restricted to wheelchair; may need aid in transfer; wheels self but cannot carry on in standard wheelchair a full day; May require motorized wheelchair 8.0 Essentially restricted to bed or chair or perambulated in wheelchair, but may be out of bed itself much of the day; retains many self-care functions; generally has effective use of arms 8.5 Essentially restricted to bed much of day; has some effective use of arms retains some self care-functions 9.0 Helpless bed patient; can communicate and eat 9.5 Totally helpless bed patient; unable to communicate effectively or eat/swallow 10.0 Death due to MS
This material is provided as general medical information and is not intended as advice for individual patients; please contact your physician for specific recommendations.
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