WOMAC
Pronunciation: WOH-mak
Also written as: WOMAC — Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index
Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index, a standardized questionnaire measuring pain, stiffness, and function in patients with hip and knee osteoarthritis.
Full Definition
The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) is a widely used, validated outcome measure in orthopedic oncology for assessing functional status in patients with lower extremity bone tumors. Originally developed for arthritis research, WOMAC has been adapted for oncological applications to evaluate postoperative function following limb-salvage procedures. The questionnaire contains 24 items across three subscales: pain (5 items), stiffness (2 items), and physical function (17 items). In orthopedic oncology, WOMAC scores help clinicians assess the functional impact of tumor resection and reconstruction, compare treatment outcomes, and make evidence-based decisions regarding limb preservation versus amputation.
Usage
Usage note: Always written in all capitals; can be used with or without 'score' following.
In Context
- "The patient's WOMAC score improved significantly six months after limb-salvage surgery." — Follow-up clinical note
- "WOMAC assessment should be performed preoperatively to establish baseline functional status." — Clinical protocol