Mankoski Pain Scale
Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1997 Andrea Mankoski. All rights reserved.
Right to copy with attribution freely granted.

0-- Pain Free No medication needed.

1-- Very minor annoyance - occasional minor twinges. No medication needed.

2-- Minor annoyance - occasional strong twinges. No medication needed.

3-- Annoying enough to be distracting. Mild painkillers are effective. (Aspirin, Ibuprofen.)

4 --Can be ignored if you are really involved in your work, but still distracting.
Mild painkillers relieve pain for 3-4 hours.

5-- Can't be ignored for more than 30 minutes.
Mild painkillers reduce pain for 3-4 hours.

6-- Can't be ignored for any length of time, but you can still go to work and participate in social activities.
Stronger painkillers (Codeine, Vicodin) reduce pain for 3-4 hours.

7-- Makes it difficult to concentrate, interferes with sleep You can still function with effort.
Stronger painkillers are only partially effective.
Strongest painkillers relieve pain (Oxycontin, Morphine)

8-- Physical activity severely limited. You can read and converse with effort.
Nausea and dizziness set in as factors of pain.
Stronger painkillers are minimally effective.
Strongest painkillers reduce pain for 3-4 hours.

9-- Unable to speak. Crying out or moaning uncontrollably - near delirium.
Strongest painkillers are only partially effective.

10-- Unconscious. Pain makes you pass out. Strongest painkillers are only partially effective.