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LEFS
(Lower Extremity Functional Scale)
Focus:
The Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) focuses on evaluating how lower limb conditions affect a patient’s ability to perform daily and recreational activities. It is specifically designed to assess functional status in individuals with musculoskeletal disorders of the hip, knee, ankle, or foot—making it valuable across rehabilitation, orthopedic, and sports medicine care pathways.
The LEFS is a validated and widely used patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) that quantifies physical function and mobility in individuals with lower extremity conditions. It is a reliable tool for tracking recovery progress and evaluating the effectiveness of interventions, from post-surgical rehabilitation to conservative treatments.
Relevant Survey:
- Body Part: Lower Extremity (Hip, Knee, Ankle, Foot)
- Area Of Focus: Mobility, Lower Limb Pain and Injury, Post-Surgical and Physical Therapy Recovery
The LEFS is used across orthopedic, physical therapy, and sports medicine settings to understand the degree to which lower extremity conditions limit movement and function. It supports evidence-based care planning, tracks changes over time, and promotes patient-centered care by directly reflecting the patient’s experience.
Description:
The Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) is a comprehensive PROM designed to evaluate physical function in patients with lower limb musculoskeletal disorders. It covers everyday activities such as walking, climbing stairs, getting into/out of a car, squatting, and participating in sports. Clinicians commonly use it before, during, and after treatment to assess improvement and guide recovery plans. It’s simple scoring system makes it easy to interpret and apply in both clinical and research settings.
Use Cases:
- Primary Use: Assesses lower extremity function and limitations in daily and recreational activities.
- Target Conditions: Hip or knee osteoarthritis, ligament injuries, tendonitis, fractures, post-surgical rehab (e.g., ACL repair, joint replacement).
- Post-Surgery Assessment: Monitors improvements in movement, endurance, and function after procedures involving the hip, knee, or ankle.
- Other Applicable Patients: Those undergoing physical therapy, athletic rehabilitation, or conservative management for lower extremity issues.
Number Of Questions: 20
See an example of the LEFS in the SolvEdge platform by watching the video below:
Click here to view the questionnaire.
Questionnaire Survey Consists of:
The LEFS contains 20 Questions covering activities such as:
- Usual work, housework, or school activities
- Walking between rooms
- Getting in/out of a car
- Walking 2 blocks and longer distances
- Climbing stairs
- Squatting
- Running on even/uneven ground
- Hopping
- Rolling over in bed
- Putting on socks
- Light to heavy recreational activities
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