Lysholm

The Lysholm scale is a well validated functional score designed for knee ligament injuries but has also been validated for other knee injuries. Different scores are more useful at different stages post ligament reconstruction. Functional rating scales may have to be modified for articular cartilage repair.

Rating systems for ligament evaluation should look at functional score, activity grading and static stability assessment and functional test before during and after ligament reconstruction.

Limp (5 Points)		Pain (25 Points)
None	5 ______	None	30 _____
Slight or periodical	3 ______	Inconstant and slight during severe exertion	25 _____
Severe and constant	0 ______	Inconstant and slight during severe exertion	25 _____
		Marked during severe exertion	0 _____
Support (5 Points)		Marked during severe exertion	0 _____
None	5 ______	Marked on or after walking more than 2 km	10 _____
Stick or crutch	2 ______	Marked on or after walking less than 2 km	5 _____
Weight-bearing impossible	0 ______	Constant	0 _____

Locking (15 points)		Swelling (10 Points)
No locking and no catching sensations	15 ______	None	10 ______
Catching sensation but no locking	10 ______	On severe exertion	6
Locking		On ordinary exertion	2
Occasionally	6 ______	Constant	0
Frequently	2 ______
Locked joint on examination	0 ______	Stair climbing (10 points)
		No problems	10 _____
Instability (30 Points)		Slightly impaired	6 _____
Never giving way	25 _____	One step at a time	2 _____
Rarely gives way except for athletic or other severe exertion	20 _____	Impossible	0 _____
	20 _____
Gives way frequently during athletic events or severe exertion	15 _____	Squatting (5 points)
	15 _____	No problems	5 _____
Occasionally in daily activities	10 _____	Slightly impaired	4 _____
Often in daily activities	5 _____	Not beyond ninety degrees	2 _____
Every step	0 _____	Impossible	0 _____

		TOTAL	______

References

Lysholm J, Gillquist J: Evaluation of knee ligament surgery results with special emphasis on use of a scoring scale. Am J Sports Med 10:150-154, 1982

Tegner Y, Lysholm J: Rating systems in the evaluation of knee ligament injuries. Clin Orthop 198:43-49, 1985.

Smith HJ, Richardson JB, Tennant A. Modification and validation of the Lysholm Knee Scale to assess articular cartilage damage. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2008 Jun 14

Kocher MS, Steadman JR, Briggs KK, Sterett WI, Hawkins RJ. Reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the Lysholm knee scale for various chondral disorders of the knee. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2004 Jun;86-A(6):1139-45.