Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2023C00151:reg:54:p33
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2023C00151
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 54 (pt 33/36)
Character Range: 175558–179074

in position of function.
FIFTY                                                                                                                                                                                   Ankylosis in an unfavourable position, or unstable joint.
                                                   Where applicable, two ratings are to be selected from this table — one for the cervical spine and one for the thoraco-lumbar spine.

Ratings from this table are age adjusted (see Table 3.6.1)

Functional Loss Table 3.3.2
LOSS OF MUSCULOSKELETAL FUNCTION:
THORACO-LUMBAR SPINE (BASED ON USE OF SPINE)
Impairment Ratings                            Criteria
NIL                                           Thoraco-lumbar spine condition causes no difficulty in sitting or standing or other normal activities.
TWO                                           Thoraco-lumbar spine condition causes occasional difficulties in prolonged sitting or standing.
FIVE                                          Thoraco-lumbar spine condition causes difficulties in sitting or standing that generally result in pain or undue fatigue by the end of the day.
TEN                                           Thoraco-lumbar spine condition generally causes pain or undue fatigue within half an hour, and so requires frequent changes of posture.
FIFTEEN                                       Thoraco-lumbar spine condition generally causes pain or undue fatigue within five minutes, and so requires very frequent changes of posture.
                                              One rating may be selected from this table in respect of the thoraco-lumbar spine. No rating is to be selected from this table in respect of the cervical spine.

Ratings from this table are age adjusted (see Table 3.6.1)

Step 3: (Omit this step if you are not assessing an impairment of the thoraco-lumbar spine.) Compare the rating obtained in Step 1 in respect of impairment of the thoraco-lumbar spine with the rating obtained in Step 2. Take the higher rating.

Step 4: Make any applicable age adjustment to the functional impairment rating for the spine by applying Table 3.6.1.

The functional impairment rating obtained in Step 4 is to be age adjusted by applying Table 3.6.1. Unlike the situation which applies to the upper and lower limbs there is no maximum value of the impairment rating of the spine. Hence whatever the rating obtained by application of Table 3.6.1 is the rating to be given. (The reason is that the maximum rating for limbs is determined by reference to the rating given for amputation of the limb, but there is no such thing as amputation of the spine.)

Step 5: Determine if any Other Impairment rating applies to the spine.

The Other Impairment ratings of the spine are those due to crush fractures of the vertebrae.

Other Impairment Table 3.3.3
CRUSH FRACTURES OF THE VERTEBRAE
Impairment Ratings                Criteria
NIL                               No fracture of the vertebrae.
TWO                               Crush fracture with minor compression (less than 25%) only.
FIVE                              Crush fracture of one vertebra (compression of 25%-50%).
TEN                                  Crush fracture of a single vertebra with more than 50% compression.

                                   Crush fracture of two or more vertebrae with more than 25% compression of each.
                                  Where applicable, two ratings are to be selected from this table