Oxford Hip Score
A concise questionnaire evaluating hip-related pain and functional ability in patients undergoing total hip replacement.
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Oxford Hip Score
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About This Form
The Oxford Hip Score is a validated patient-reported outcome measure developed by researchers at the University of Oxford to assess hip function and pain following hip arthroplasty. This 12-item questionnaire focuses on activities of daily living and provides a comprehensive assessment of how your hip condition affects your quality of life. It is widely used by clinicians to evaluate the effectiveness of hip replacement surgery and to monitor your recovery progress over time.
Medical Specialties
Anatomic Areas
Clinical Indications
Developer Information
Developed by researchers within the Nuffield Department of Population Health at the University of Oxford in association with surgical colleagues at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre. The development team included Dr Jill Dawson and Professor Ray Fitzpatrick. The OHS was designed to be completed by the patient thus minimising potential bias unwittingly introduced by surgeons when assessing the results themselves.
Copyright & Licensing
Copyright © Oxford University Innovation. The Oxford Hip Score is a proprietary instrument requiring licensing for use. For licensing information and permissions, contact Oxford University Innovation. Users must obtain appropriate authorisation before implementing this questionnaire in clinical practice or research.
Administration Instructions
Answer all 12 questions about your hip condition over the past four weeks. For each question, select the response option that best describes your experience.
Scoring Methodology
Each of the 12 items is scored on a scale from 0 to 4, with 0 representing the worst outcome and 4 representing the best outcome. The total score is calculated by summing all individual item scores, resulting in a range from 0 to 48. Higher scores indicate better hip function and less pain. The score is concise, reproducible, valid, and sensitive to clinically important changes in hip status. The questionnaire can also be divided into two subscales: Pain (questions 1-5, maximum 20 points) and Function (questions 6-12, maximum 28 points).
Meaningful Change Threshold
A change of approximately 5 points in the Oxford Hip Score is considered the minimal clinically important difference (MCID), indicating a clinically significant improvement or deterioration in hip function. Studies have identified specific MCID values ranging from 4.5 to 5.0 points depending on the postoperative timeframe, representing a meaningful clinical change that patients would perceive as beneficial.
Score Interpretation
Understanding what your score means
severe
0 - 19Severe hip problems with significant impact on daily activities and quality of life
moderate
20 - 29Moderate to severe hip problems affecting function and causing considerable pain
mild
30 - 39Mild to moderate hip problems with some limitations in activities
satisfactory
40 - 48Satisfactory joint function with minimal hip problems and good quality of life
Subscales
This questionnaire measures multiple dimensions
Pain
Measures the severity and impact of hip pain on daily life
Function
Measures physical function and ability to perform daily activities
Clinical Limitations & Considerations
While the Oxford Hip Score is a validated and widely used measure, it has several limitations. It is specifically designed for patients undergoing hip arthroplasty and may not be suitable for assessing hip function in other patient populations or conditions. The questionnaire may not capture all aspects of hip function and patient experience. It should be considered as part of a comprehensive clinical assessment rather than as a standalone diagnostic tool. Additionally, cultural and linguistic adaptations may be necessary for non-English speaking populations.
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