Bone and Spine

Orthopedic health, conditions and treatment

Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale

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Last Updated on October 30, 2023

Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale is used to  evaluate the outcomes of knee ligament surgery  in patients

The first version of this was published in 1982. The present scale includes  8 items

  1. Limp
  2. Support
  3. Locking
  4. Instability
  5. Pain
  6. Swelling
  7. Stair climbing
  8. Squatting

Apart from knee ligament injury, the score can be used for meniscal tears, knee cartilage lesions, osteochondritis dissecans, traumatic knee dislocation, patellar instability, patellofemoral pain, and knee osteoarthritis.

Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale is a patient completed questionnaire where each possible response to each of the 8 items has been assigned an arbitrary score on an increasing scale.

Maximum score canThe total score is the sum of each response to the 8 items, of a possible score of 100. Computer scoring is not necessary.

Following is a detailed Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale.  Score for each response is given in the bracket.

Section 1 – Limp

  • I have no limp when I walk. (5)
  • I have a slight or periodical limp when I walk. (3)
  • I  have a severe and constant limp when I walk. (0)

SECTION 2 – Using Support For Walking

  • I do not use a cane or crutches. (5)
  • I use a cane or crutches with some weight-bearing. (2)
  • Putting weight on my hurt leg is impossible. (0)

Section 3 – Locking sensation in the knee

  • I have no locking and no catching sensation in my knee. (15)
  • I have catching sensation but no locking sensation in my knee. (10)
  • My knee locks occasionally. (6)
  • My knee locks frequently. (2)
  • My knee feels locked at this moment.. (0)

 

Section 4 – Giving way sensation from the knee

  • My knee never gives way. (25)
  • My knee rarely gives way, only during athletics or vigorous activity. (20)
  • My knee frequently gives way during athletics or other vigorous activities. In turn, I am unable to participate in these activities. (15)
  • My knee frequently gives way during daily activities. (10)
  • My knee often gives way during daily activities. (5)
  • My knee gives way every step I take. (0)

 

Section 5 – Pain

  • I have no pain in my knee. (25)
  • I have intermittent or slight pain in my knee during vigorous activities. (20)
  • I have marked pain in my knee during vigorous activities. (15)
  • I have marked pain in my knee during or after walking more than 1 mile. (10)
  • I have marked pain in my knee during or after walking less than 1 mile. (5)
  • I have constant pain in my knee. (0)

Section 6 – Swelling

  • I have swelling in my knee. (10)
  • I have swelling in my knee on1y after vigorous activities. (6)
  • I have swelling in my knee after ordinary activities. (2)
  • I have swelling constantly in my knee. (0)

Section 7 – Climbing Stairs

  • I have no problems climbing stairs. (10)
  • I have slight problems climbing stairs. (6)
  • I can climb stairs only one at a time. (2)
  • Climbing stairs are impossible for me. (0)

Section 8 – Squatting

  • I have no problems squatting. (5)
  • I have slight problems squatting. (4)
  • I cannot squat beyond a 90deg. Bend in my knee. (1)
  • Squatting is impossible because of my knee. (0)

Interpretation

A score of 100 means no symptoms or disability.

Scores are categorized

  • Excellent (95–100)
  • Good (84–94)
  • Fair (65–83)
  • Poor (64)

Significance and Limitations

The Lysholm scale generally uses simple language but it does use some specific medical terms such as locking, catching, and weight bearing. A clinician may be required to help the patient understand the scale.

The Lysholm scale appears to have inadequate internal consistency in patients with a variety of knee conditions.