Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment

Instructions: We are interested in finding out how you are managing with your injury or arthritis this week. We would like to know about any problems you may be having with your daily activities because of your injury or arthritis. Please answer each question by putting a check in the box corresponding to the choice that best describes you.

These questions are about how much difficulty you may be having this week with your daily activities because of your injury or arthritis.

Not at all Difficult (0)A Little Difficult (1)Moderately Difficult (2)Very Difficult (3)Unable to do (4)

13. How difficult is it for you to get moving after you have been sitting or lying down?

Not at all Difficult (0)A Little Difficult (1)Moderately Difficult (2)Very Difficult (3)Unable to do (4)

17. How difficult is it for you to turn knobs or levers (for example, to open doors or to roll down car windows)?

Not at all Difficult (0)A Little Difficult (1)Moderately Difficult (2)Very Difficult (3)Unable to do (4)

20. How difficult is it for you to do your usual physical recreational activities, such as bicycling, jogging, or walking?

Not at all Difficult (0)A Little Difficult (1)Moderately Difficult (2)Very Difficult (3)Unable to do (4)

21. How difficult is it for you to do your usual leisure activities, such as hobbies, crafts, gardening, card-playing, or going out with friends?

Not at all Difficult (0)A Little Difficult (1)Moderately Difficult (2)Very Difficult (3)Unable to do (4)

23. How difficult is it for you to do light housework or yard work, such as dusting, washing dishes, or watering plants?

Not at all Difficult (0)A Little Difficult (1)Moderately Difficult (2)Very Difficult (3)Unable to do (4)

24. How difficult is it for you to do heavy housework or yard work, such as washing floors, vacuuming, or mowing lawns?

Not at all Difficult (0)A Little Difficult (1)Moderately Difficult (2)Very Difficult (3)Unable to do (4)

25. How difficult is it for you to do your usual work, such as a paid job, housework, or volunteer activities?

Not at all Difficult (0)A Little Difficult (1)Moderately Difficult (2)Very Difficult (3)Unable to do (4)

These next questions ask how often you are experiencing problems this week because of your injury or arthritis

None of the Time (0)A Little of the Time (1)Some of the Time (2)Most of the Time (3)All of the Time (4)

31. How often do you act irritable toward those around you(for example, snap at people, give sharp answers, or criticize easily)?

None of the Time (0)A Little of the Time (1)Some of the Time (2)Most of the Time (3)All of the Time (4)

These questions are about how much you are bothered by problems you are having this week because of your injury or arthritis

Not at All Bothered (0)A Little Bothered (1)Moderately Bothered (2)Very Bothered (3)Extremely Bothered (4)

38. How much are you bothered by problems with bathing, dressing, toileting, or other personal care?

Not at All Bothered (0)A Little Bothered (1)Moderately Bothered (2)Very Bothered (3)Extremely Bothered (4)

41. How much are you bothered by problems with your friends, family, or other important people in your life?

Not at All Bothered (0)A Little Bothered (1)Moderately Bothered (2)Very Bothered (3)Extremely Bothered (4)

43. How much are you bothered by problems adjusting or coping with your injury or arthritis?

Not at All Bothered (0)A Little Bothered (1)Moderately Bothered (2)Very Bothered (3)Extremely Bothered (4)

Bibliographic References (copyright belongs to the author/s of this instrument)

1. Swiontkowski MF, Engelberg R, Martin DP, Agel J (1999) Short musculoskeletal function assessment questionnaire: validity, reliability, and responsiveness. J Bone Joint Surg, 81, 1245–1260.
2. Dowrick AS, Gabbe BJ, Williamson OD, Cameron PA (2005) Outcome instruments for the assessment of the upper extremity following trauma: a review. Injury, 36, 468–476.