Lower Extremity Functional Scale

Description

Objective

The objective of the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) is to measure “patients’ initial function, ongoing progress, and outcome” for a wide range of lower-extremity conditions.^[1][2]

Intended Population

The LEFS is intended for use on adults with lower extremity conditions.^[1][2]

Method of Use

The LEFS is a self-report questionnaire. Patients answer the question “Today, do you or would you have any difficulty at all with:” in regards to twenty different everyday activities.^[1][2]

Patients select an answer from the following scale for each activity listed:

1. Extreme Difficulty or Unable to Perform Activity
2. Quite a Bit of Difficulty
3. Moderate Difficulty
4. A Little Bit of Difficulty
5. No Difficulty

The patient’s score is tallied at the bottom of the page. The maximum possible score is 80 points, indicating very high function. The minimum possible score is 0 points, indicating very low function.

1. ↑ Binkley JM, Stratford PW, Lott SA, Riddle DL. The lower extremity functional scale (LEFS): scale development, measurement properties, and clinical application. Phys Ther 1999;79:371-383.
2. ↑ Rehabilitation Measures Database Lower Extremity Functional Scale http://www.rehabmeasures.org/Lists/RehabMeasures/DispForm.aspx?ID=1113 (accessed 24 Mar 2015).
3. ↑ Fillechaud. Scoring the LEFS. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CDhRMZCWQ4