Medical Diagnostics & Clinical Scoring

Neck Disability Index (NDI)

Calculate the Neck Disability Index (NDI) score to assess how neck pain affects a patient's ability to manage everyday life activities.

Disability Index
0
InterpretationNo disability

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Clinical Overview: The Neck Disability Index

The Neck Disability Index (NDI) is a modification of the Oswestry Low Back Pain Index, specifically tailored to assess disability in patients with cervical spine disorders. It is the most commonly used instrument for evaluating neck pain in clinical trials and routine practice.

Assessment Structure

The NDI consists of 10 items, including:

  • Pain Intensity and Headaches.
  • Daily Functions: Personal care, lifting, reading, and concentration.
  • Productivity: Work.
  • Mobility: Driving.
  • Quality of Life: Sleeping and recreation.

Scoring and Clinical Utility

NDI % = (Total Score / 50) * 100

Where:
Max Score=
50 Points
Moderate Disability=
30-48%

The NDI is particularly sensitive to changes in patients with whiplash-associated disorders and cervical radiculopathy. It helps clinicians determine if a patient's neck pain is merely an annoyance or a significant barrier to their livelihood and wellbeing.

Frequently Asked Questions

While it includes a headache component, the NDI is primarily validated for pain originating from the cervical spine. If headaches are the primary complaint, a tool like the HIT-6 may be more appropriate.

A score of 0-8% (0-4 points) is generally considered to represent 'No Disability'.

Yes. Many surgeons use the NDI to document the functional impact of conditions like cervical myelopathy before deciding on operative intervention.

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