ortho-trauma rheumatology

Oxford Knee Score (OKS)

12-item patient-reported outcome for knee arthroplasty / OA (Dawson 1998). Each item 0–4 (0 = severe, 4 = none). Total 0–48. Used pre- and post-op in NJR.

Q1. Overall pain in past 4 weeks*

Q2. Trouble washing/drying*

Q3. Trouble getting in/out of car*

Q4. Walking before pain becomes severe*

Q5. After meal — pain rising from chair*

Q6. Limping when walking*

Q7. Kneeling and getting up*

Q8. Pain in bed at night*

Q9. Interference with usual work*

Q10. Knee giving way*

Q11. Shopping on your own*

Q12. Walking down a flight of stairs*

Score interpretation

Severe knee dysfunction (0–19) 0–19

→ Strong consideration for total knee arthroplasty if conservative measures exhausted. MRI to assess soft tissue if deformity progressive. Orthopaedic referral.

Moderate-to-severe (20–29) 20–29

→ Consider arthroplasty after optimised non-operative care. Weight loss, NSAIDs, intra-articular corticosteroid, physiotherapy, walking aid.

Mild-to-moderate (30–39) 30–39

→ Conservative care: physiotherapy, paracetamol, topical NSAIDs (NICE NG226). Consider intra-articular hyaluronate trial; encourage low-impact exercise.

Satisfactory function (40–48) 40–48

→ Maintain activity; reassess if symptoms worsen. No surgical indication from PROM alone.

Interpretation bands for the Oxford Knee. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.

References

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Pathways

Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.

Score interpretation

References

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