Key facts
- Score direction
- Higher is better
- Meaningful change
- Published literature commonly cites a minimal detectable change of approximately 9 to 15 points and patient-acceptable symptomatic states often exceed the mid-80s on this 0 to 100 scale; exact thresholds should be taken from study context and population.
- Scoring
- Each response is assigned points so that better function and fewer symptoms receive higher points. Items 2 (pain frequency) and 3 (pain severity) use reverse scoring on the 0 to 10 response line so that favourable answer…
- Time to complete
- 7 min
- Questions
- 19
- Licensing
- Available free of charge; Patient Watch charges only for platform services
About the IKDC Subjective Knee Evaluation
The IKDC Subjective Knee Evaluation is one of the most widely used knee-specific patient-reported outcome measures in sports medicine and knee surgery. It captures pain, swelling and giving way, sport-related tasks such as running and jumping, and an overall function rating. Your score is transformed to a 0 to 100 scale where 100 indicates no symptoms and no limitation in daily or sporting activities.
Medical Specialties
Anatomic Areas
Clinical Indications
Developer Information
Developed under the International Knee Documentation Committee with participation from AOSSM, ESSKA and regional societies. The subjective form and scoring instructions are maintained for research and clinical documentation consistency.
Copyright & Licensing
Forms and instructions are made available for clinical and research use via orthopaedic and sports medicine society resources (for example AOSSM). Verify current redistribution and registration requirements before commercial or large-scale deployment.
Administration Instructions
Answer each question for the past four weeks, or since your injury if that period is shorter. For symptom items, grade at the highest activity level you believe you could manage without significant symptoms, even if you are not currently active at that level. Item 10a (function before injury) is optional context only and is not used in the IKDC score.
Scoring Methodology
Each response is assigned points so that better function and fewer symptoms receive higher points. Items 2 (pain frequency) and 3 (pain severity) use reverse scoring on the 0 to 10 response line so that favourable answers receive more points. Item 6 scores Yes (locking/catching) as 0 and No as 1. Item 10a (function before injury) is not summed. The eighteen scored items yield a raw total out of 87 when complete. The summary score is (sum of item scores divided by sum of maximum points for answered items) multiplied by 100, rounded to one decimal. When at least sixteen of the eighteen scored items are answered (90% completeness), a score can be calculated using the revised partial scoring rule in the official instructions.
Meaningful Change Threshold
Published literature commonly cites a minimal detectable change of approximately 9 to 15 points and patient-acceptable symptomatic states often exceed the mid-80s on this 0 to 100 scale; exact thresholds should be taken from study context and population.
Score Interpretation
Understanding what your score means
severe impairment
0 - 49Substantial knee-related limitation, frequent symptoms or difficulty with demanding tasks
moderate impairment
50 - 74Noticeable symptoms or activity restrictions between sedentary and more demanding sport
near normal
75 - 89Mild residual symptoms or task limitations; generally high function
normal excellent
90 - 100Minimal or no limitation; scores approaching 100 indicate absence of symptoms and full function by instrument definition
Clinical Limitations & Considerations
This seed implements the subjective knee questionnaire only, not the full IKDC examination or demographic modules. Scores depend on patient understanding and honest reporting. Cross-cultural adaptations may alter wording slightly. Partial scoring is an approximation; prefer complete forms when possible.
Supporting Literature
Key validation and development studies for the IKDC Subjective Knee Evaluation
- 1
Development and validation of the international knee documentation committee subjective knee form
Irrgang JJ, Anderson AF, Boland AL, Harner CD, Kurosaka M, Neyret P, Richmond JC, Shelbourne KD
The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 2001
- 2
Responsiveness of the International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form in comparison to the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, modified Cincinnati Knee Rating System, and Short Form 36 in patients with focal articular cartilage defects
Noble PC, Scuderi GR, Brekke AC, Sikorskii A, Benjamin JB, Ludewig PM, Berezovka A, Boyle J
American Journal of Sports Medicine, 2005
Used in Literature
Studies and publications that have used the IKDC Subjective Knee Evaluation
- 1
Measurement properties of the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective knee form
Collins NJ, Misra D, Felson DT, Crossley KM, Roos EM
Arthritis Care & Research, 2011
Frequently asked questions
What does a near normal IKDC Subjective Knee Evaluation score mean?
A IKDC Subjective Knee Evaluation score of 75 to 89 is classified as near normal. Mild residual symptoms or task limitations; generally high function
What does a normal excellent IKDC Subjective Knee Evaluation score mean?
A IKDC Subjective Knee Evaluation score of 90 to 100 is classified as normal excellent. Minimal or no limitation; scores approaching 100 indicate absence of symptoms and full function by instrument definition
What does a severe impairment IKDC Subjective Knee Evaluation score mean?
A IKDC Subjective Knee Evaluation score of 0 to 49 is classified as severe impairment. Substantial knee-related limitation, frequent symptoms or difficulty with demanding tasks
What does a moderate impairment IKDC Subjective Knee Evaluation score mean?
A IKDC Subjective Knee Evaluation score of 50 to 74 is classified as moderate impairment. Noticeable symptoms or activity restrictions between sedentary and more demanding sport
Related Outcome Measures
Other clinical questionnaires for similar specialties and conditions
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ACL Return to Sport after Injury Scale (ACL-RSI)
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KOOS - Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score
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KOOS-12 - Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (Short Form)
A concise 12-item questionnaire assessing knee function across three domains: pain (4 items), function in daily living (4 items), and quality of life (4 items). Derived from the full KOOS questionnaire for reduced respondent burden.
Oxford Knee Score
Oxford Knee Score - a 12-item patient-reported outcome measure for assessing function and pain after total knee replacement surgery
This questionnaire is provided free of charge. Patient Watch charges only for platform services (data storage, automated reminders, analytics) - not for use of clinical instruments. This non-commercial model supports academic and clinical use.View full licensing disclosure