Functional Ambulation Classification
Also written as: FAC — Functional Ambulation Classification
A six-level ordinal scale (0–5) used in rehabilitation to categorise a patient's walking ability based on the degree of physical support required.
Full Definition
The Functional Ambulation Classification (FAC) is a standardised ordinal scale developed to provide a concise descriptor of a patient's ambulatory status from non-functional ambulation (level 0) to independent ambulation on uneven surfaces (level 5). It is frequently cited in stroke and orthopaedic rehabilitation documentation as a baseline and outcome measure. Editors working with rehabilitation reports should recognise that FAC levels are expressed as numerals (FAC 3, not FAC three) and that the scale name is capitalised. The FAC is distinct from broader gait analysis tools in that it does not capture biomechanical parameters, only functional independence during walking. It should not be conflated with timed walking tests such as the 10-Metre Walk Test.
Usage
Usage note: Express FAC levels as Arabic numerals immediately following the acronym (e.g., FAC 3). Do not spell out the numeral.
In Context
- "On admission the patient scored FAC 1, indicating that continuous manual assistance was required for ambulation." — Inpatient rehabilitation assessment report
- "The team noted a FAC improvement from level 2 to level 4 over the six-week programme." — Discharge summary