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What is Upper Extremity Functional Scale (UEFS)?

Upper limb pain can be caused by a variety of medical conditions, ranging from acute injuries to chronic diseases. It can occur in any part of the upper extremity, including the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand. This pain is often accompanied by weakness, numbness, tingling, or stiffness in the affected area.

Healthcare professionals, especially physical therapists, utilize the Upper Extremity Functional Scale (UEFS) to assess the impact of upper limb pain on daily activities. This objectively measures an individual’s level of function and is one of the most commonly used tools in physical and occupational therapy.

 The UEFS consists of 20 questions and assesses a person's ability to perform essential functions such as lifting, reaching, grasping, pushing, and pulling. Each question is scored from 0 to 4. The total score ranges from 0-80, where 80 indicates a complete inability to perform the tasks.

To measure lower limb extremities, clinicians can use the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS). This tool has similar items as the UEFS but is adapted for assessing lower limb pain and function.

How does this UEFS scale work?

Using the UEFS is quite simple. Follow these steps to get started:

Step One: Access free UEFS assessment

Download our free Upper Limb Extremity Functional Scale template using the link on this page. You can also access it within the Carepatron app or our extensive resources library.

Step Two: Provide your patient with a copy

Give your patient a copy of the UEFS questionnaire and explain its purpose. Explain that you will be using their responses to measure their upper limb performance.

Step Three: Have your patient complete the questionnaire

Have your patient answer each question truthfully, rating their performance on a scale of 0-4.

Step Four: Score and document the final result

Add up their responses to get a total score. Record the score and any relevant notes or comments in your patient’s record.

Upper Extremity Functional Scale example (sample)

We've created an Upper Extremity Functional Scale example to help you understand how this template works. This sample is answered by a hypothetical patient with upper limb pain and includes notes from a fictitious physical therapist, illustrating how the UEFS can be used in practice. You can view the sample here or download the PDF.

Download the Upper Extremity Functional Scale example (sample)

When to use an Upper Extremity Functional Scale PDF?

Compare progress from the patient's baseline

Using the Upper Limb Extremity Functional Scale, you can measure your patient’s performance over time and monitor their progress. This provides a valuable baseline for determining when to discharge a patient or change their treatment plan.

Assess the impact of pain on daily activities

The UEFS can help you determine how much upper limb pain affects your patient’s ability to perform everyday tasks.

Determine if treatment has the desired effect

By using this tool pre- and post-treatment, you can evaluate the impact of your treatments on your patient's overall functioning.

Identify areas of improvement or decline in functioning

By assessing your patient’s functional abilities with the UEFS, you can identify any areas of improvement or decline. This can help you change their care plan or reassess their treatment goals.

Develop a more effective rehabilitation program

The UEFS can help you develop more effective rehabilitation programs by focusing your treatments on the areas of most significant impairment. You can also utilize it to set realistic goals for your patient’s recovery.

Who is this Upper Extremity Functional Scale PDF for?

The UEFS is an essential tool for various healthcare professionals to assess the functional abilities of their patients with upper limb pain or disability. It is especially beneficial for:

• Physical therapists
• Occupational therapists
• Physiatrists
• Sports medicine physicians
• Orthopedic specialists
• Other healthcare professionals treating patients with upper limb pain or disability

You can also use the Upper Limb Extremity Functional Scale in different settings, such as clinical settings, research studies, and performance improvement programs.

Benefits of free Upper Extremity Functional Scale template

The Upper Extremity Functional Scale comes with a wide range of benefits. Some of the key advantages include the following:

It is an easy-to-use and quick tool for assessing upper limb performance

This free UEFS assessment template is adapted to measure the impact of upper limb pain on daily activities. You can use it to assess the abnormal or impaired movement of your patient’s upper limb.

It is evidence-based

This functional scale has been developed based on evidence from research studies, making it a reliable and valid tool for evaluating upper extremities.

It is comprehensive

The UEFS includes 20 items that measure various activities, from lifting and reaching to pushing and pulling. This helps you get a more accurate picture of your patient’s condition.

It is easy to score and interpret

Each question is scored from 0 to 4, with lower scores indicating better performance. Recording and interpreting the results is straightforward.

It can improve patient engagement

Using this tool helps keep your patients engaged in their treatment and can help motivate them to work on improving their upper limb performance.

It's extremely versatile

The UEFS can be used in many settings, from clinical to research. It also allows for easy progress comparison and is suitable for a wide range of upper limb conditions.

It's digital

The free UEFS template is available in digital form. It's more convenient and easier to record results. You can access it from your computer, tablet, or smartphone using the Carepatron app.

Why use Upper Extremity Functional Scale software?

Make life easier with Carepatron’s physical therapy practice management tools – no more juggling paperwork! Get back to helping people faster, skip the administrative tasks, and spend your time where it matters.

With Carepatron, you can manage your physical therapy practice with ease. Automate patient scheduling, take payments online, manage billing and insurance claims quickly and accurately, and run reports to track progress - all from a user-friendly interface that’s easy for everyone to navigate.

As a bonus, Carepatron’s services are accessible from anywhere, so you can manage your practice from home, the office, or while on the go. Plus, with secure data encryption, you can rest assured that your patient’s information is safe and secure. 

At Carepatron, we value efficiency and accuracy when managing physical therapy practice. That’s why we offer practice management tools that make life easier. So, what are you waiting for? Take control of your practice today and see how Carepatron can help!