Japanese Orthopedic Association Score (JOA)


Name and Synonyms

Japanese orthopaedic association score, JOA Score.

Structure / Content

(Modified by Keller 1993)

Criterion    Points

Motor function

  •  Paralysis    1

Upper extremity

  •  Fine motor function massively decreased     2
  •  Fine motor function decelerated    3
  •  Discreet weakness in hands or proximal arm    4
  •  Normal function    5

Motor function

  •  Unable to walk    1

Lower extremity

  •  Need walking aid on flat floor    2
  •  Need handrail on stairs    3
  •  Able to walk without walking aid, but inadequate    4
  •  Normal function    5

Sensory

Upper extremity/lower extremity/trunk   
  •  Apparent sensory loss    1
  •  Minimal sensory loss    2
  •  Normal function    3

Bladder function

  •  Urinary retention    1
  •  Severe dysfunction    2
  •  Mild dysfunction    3
  •  Normal function    4

Scoring Method and Interpretetion

Total score    0–17. The lower the score the more severe the deficits.

  • Normal function 16 + 17
  • Grade 1: 12–15
  • Grade 2: 8–11
  • Grade 3: 0–7

Weight of the criterion in percentage of 17 points: upper extremity 23.5%; lower extremity 23.5%; sensory 3 × 11.8% (total: 35.4%); bladder and bowel function 17.6%


References

  • Eur Spine J. 2007 December; 16(12): 2096–2103. 
  • Yue WM, Tan SB, Tan MH et al (2001) The Torg-Pavlov-ratio in cervical spondylotic myelopathy: a comparative study between patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy and a nonspondylotic, nonmyelopathic population. Spine 26(16):1760–1764.





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Complete Alphabetical List of Spine Scores