Functional Restriction

Functional restriction considers a person's inability to perform an activity when compared with a 'normal' person. It has the same meaning as the World Health Organisation term Disability. It is important to realise that a severe medical condition is not the same as a severe functional restriction. For example doctors would regard lung cancer as a severe medical condition but particularly in the early stages it may not cause any significant functional restriction. Conversely a person with severe osteoarthiritis may have considerable functional restriction but in general doctors would not regard it as a severe illness.

Amended April 2008