Denis Work Scale


Name

Denis work scale.

Source Article

Denis F: Spinal instability as defined by the three-column spine concept in acute spinal trauma. Clin Orthop 189:65–76, 1984.

Description

A grading system focused on working capability. Francis Denis proposed it and used in patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures without neurological deficits to record the functional outcome at follow-up. It is also used to evaluate the patients treated for lumbar stenosis and low back pain to show impairment, disability and work limitations.

Structure / Content

It is a five-level scale ranging from W1 to W5, as detailed below.
  • W1: Return to previous employment (heavy labor) or physically demanding activities
  • W2: Able to return to previous employment (sedentary) or return to heavy labor with restrictions
  • W3: Unable to return to previous employment but works full time at new job
  • W4: Unable to return to full time work
  • W5: No work, completely disabled

Scientific Spine's Comment

A simple, descriptive daily life scale focused on work status. Denis proposed that pain grading system along with his pain scale and spinal trauma classification system. It is not used or cited commonly.


References

Denis F: Spinal instability as defined by the three-column spine concept in acute spinal trauma. Clin Orthop 189:65–76, 1984.

Denis F, Armstrong GW, Searls K, Matta L. Acute thoracolumbar burst fractures in the absence of neurologic deficit. A comparison between operative and nonoperative treatment. Clin Orthop Relat Res 1984;(189): 142-149.
Yaray O, Akesen B, Aydinli U. Long-term outcome after surgical treatment of thoracolumbar fractures versus a control group of healthy volunteers. Acta Orthop Belg 2011; 77(1): 93-96.
Zhao J, Zhang F, Chen X, Yao Y. Posterior interbody fusion using a diagonal cage with unilateral transpedicular screw fixation for lumbar stenosis. J Clin Neurosci 2011; 18(3): 324-328.
Denis S, Shannon HS, Wessel J, Stratford P, Weller I. Association of low back pain, impairment, disability & work limitations in nurses. J Occup Rehabil 2007; 17(2): 213-226.
 







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