Table 3.2.2 - Loss Of Musculoskeletal Function: Lower Limbs (Based On Use Of Both Lower Limbs Together)

Functional Loss Table 3.2.2

LOSS OF MUSCULOSKELETAL FUNCTION: LOWER LIMBS (BASED ON USE OF BOTH LOWER LIMBS TOGETHER)

Impairment Ratings

Criteria

NIL
  • Walks in a manner normal for age on a variety of different terrains and at varying speeds.

  • Sciatic pain — occasional twinges but no effect on walking most of the time.

FIVE
  • Walks with intermittent difficulty, such as locking or giving way, without falling. Caution needed on steps and uneven ground, or when running.

  • Has intermittent pain from weight-bearing, ie, not all the time, or only after weight-bearing for some time.

  • Sciatic pain occurring frequently: present some of the time when walking.

TEN
  • Walks at normal pace on level ground, but has constant difficulty up and down steps and over uneven ground. Need for a walking stick may be manifested:

  •              Pain and/or slowness; or

  •              constant pain from weight-bearing.

  • Pain restricts walking to 500 m or less, at a slow to moderate pace (4 km/h). Can walk further after resting.

  • Sciatic pain daily — present most of the time during walking.

TWENTY
  • Walks at moderately reduced pace in comparison with peers on flat ground; and is unable to

  •              manage stairs or ramps without rails; or

  •              rise from the sitting position without the assistance of one hand.

  • Pain restricts walking (4 km/h) to 250 m or less at a time. Can walk further after resting.

THIRTY
  • Walks at significantly reduced pace in comparison with peers and:

  •              legs give way frequently, resulting in falls. Can walk more   efficiently with a brace or an artificial limb; or

  •              is unable to negotiate stairs without personal assistance; or

  •              is unable to rise to standing position without the assistance of both hands.

  • Pain restricts walking (4 km/h) to 100 m or less at a time. Can walk further after resting.

FORTY
  • Walks at greatly reduced pace in comparison with peers, is unable to negotiate kerbs, gutters or uneven ground, and

  •              is restricted to walking in home and around block. Probably needs a walking aid; or

  •              finds transfer difficult without personal assistance.

  • Pain restricts walking (4 km/h) to 50 m or less at a time. Can walk further after resting.

FIFTY

Restricted to walking in and around home; and

  •              requires quad stick, crutches or similar walking aid;

  •              is unable to transfer without personal assistance.

SIXTY

Restricted to walking in and around home. Can walk only with personal assistance, or with a walking aid such as a pickup frame.

SEVENTY

Unable to walk or stand. Mobile only in a wheelchair.

Only one rating is to be selected from this table for any condition or combination of conditions.

No age adjustment permitted for this table

For the purposes of Table 3.2.2 “transfer” means:

  • a move from one seat to another;
  • a move from sitting to standing;
  • a move on and off the toilet; or
  • a move in and out of bed.

Step 5:Compare the functional impairment rating for the lower limbs as a whole with the functional impairment rating due to any restricted range of movement. Take the higher of these two ratings as the final functional impairment rating for the limbs.

After applying Chapter 19 (Partially Contributing Impairment) in Step 4, the functional impairment rating from loss of range of movement is to be compared with the functional impairment for the use of the limbs as whole.

The higher of these two ratings is the final functional impairment rating for the limbs.

Step 6:Determine if any Other Impairment rating applies to the lower limbs.

There are two Other Impairment tables relating to the lower limbs:

Table 3.2.3              —              Amputations of Lower Limbs; and

Table 3.2.4              —              Lower Limbs - Joint Replacements.

Step 7:Compare the final functional impairment rating for the lower limbs with any Other Impairment rating applicable to the lower limbs. Take the higher of these.

Substep 7A

When the only Other Impairment rating relates to amputations.

The final functional impairment rating of the lower limbs (obtained in Step 5) is to be compared with the Other Impairment rating or ratings from Table 3.2.3.

The higher of the two ratings is then taken as the total final impairment rating for the lower limbs.

Source URL: https://clik.dva.gov.au/revocation-garp-4/medical-impairment/part-system-specific-assessment/chapter-3-impairment-spine-and-limbs/part-32-lower-limbs/table-322-loss-musculoskeletal-function-lower-limbs-based-use-both-lower-limbs-together