Impairment · 2005 PDRS Section 2
Hip, knee, ankle & foot: PD rating
Hip, knee, ankle, foot and toes — usually rated on the lower-extremity (LE) scale. These are usually reported on the lower-extremity (LE) scale: LE × 0.4 = WPI (and a foot value × 0.7 = LE first).
WPI → PD rating
Example — a 25% lower-extremity (LE) knee impairment: 25 × 0.4 = 10% WPI, then 10 × 1.4 = 14 standard rating (DOI ≥ 2013), before the occupational and age adjustments.
The occupational and age steps and the final dollar figure depend on the specific job and birth date — the calculator computes them exactly.
How leg and knee ratings work: physicians report most of these in lower-extremity percent (LE) under Chapter 17 of the AMA Guides — diagnosis-based estimates (the common route for knees: meniscectomy, ligament laxity, replacement results), range of motion, or gait derangement. The schedule converts LE to whole-person impairment at 40% (a 25% LE knee is 10% WPI) before the standard pipeline runs — the 1.4 adjustment, occupational variant (standing and climbing trades move these ratings most), and the age modifier.
Impairments in this system · 65
Leg
Leg - Limb LengthLeg - Amputation/Knee proximallyLeg - Amputation/MTP joint proximallyLeg - Skin LossLeg - Peripheral NerveLeg - VascularLeg - Causalgia/RSDLeg - Gait DerangementLeg - Other
Pelvis
Pelvis - Diagnosis-based Estimate (DBE) - Fracture
Hip
Hip - Muscle AtrophyHip - AnkylosisHip - ArthritisHip - Range of MotionHip - Muscle StrengthHip - OtherHip - Diagnosis-based Estimate - ReplacementHip - Diagnosis-based Estimate - Femoral Neck FractureHip - Diagnosis-based Estimate - Acetabular FractureHip - Diagnosis-based Estimate - Arthroplasty
Femur
Femur - Diagnosis-based Estimate - Fracture
Knee
Knee - Muscle AtrophyKnee - AnkylosisKnee - ArthritisKnee - Range of MotionKnee - Muscle StrengthKnee - OtherKnee - Diagnosis-based Estimate - Subluxation/dislocationKnee - Diagnosis-based Estimate - FractureKnee - Diagnosis-based Estimate - PatellectomyKnee - Diagnosis-based Estimate - MenisectomyKnee - Diagnosis-based Estimate - Cruciate/collateral LigamentKnee - Diagnosis-based Estimate - Plateau FractureKnee - Diagnosis-based Estimate - Supra/Intercondylar FractureKnee - Diagnosis-based Estimate - Total ReplacementKnee - Diagnosis-based Estimate - Proximal Tibial Osteotomy
Tibia
Tibia/fibula - Diagnosis-based Estimate - Fracture
Ankle
Ankle - Muscle AtrophyAnkle - AnkylosisAnkle - ArthritisAnkle - Range of MotionAnkle - Muscle StrengthAnkle - OtherAnkle - Diagnosis-based Estimate - Ligament InstabilityAnkle - Diagnosis-based Estimate - Fracture
Foot
Foot - Muscle AtrophyFoot - AnkylosisFoot - ArthritisFoot - Range of MotionFoot - Muscle StrengthFoot - OtherFoot - Diagnosis-based Estimate - Hindfoot FractureFoot - Diagnosis-based Estimate - Loss of TissueFoot - Diagnosis-based Estimate - Intra-articular FractureFoot - Diagnosis-based Estimate - Metatarsal FractureFoot - Diagnosis-based Estimate - CavusFoot - Diagnosis-based Estimate - Rocker BottomFoot - Diagnosis-based Estimate - Avascular Necrosis
Toes
Toes - Muscle AtrophyToes - AnkylosisToes - ArthritisToes - Range of MotionToes - Muscle StrengthToes - AmputationToes - Other
Lower extremities rating FAQ
How is a hip, knee, ankle & foot injury rated for permanent disability in California?
These are usually reported on the lower-extremity (LE) scale: LE × 0.4 = WPI (and a foot value × 0.7 = LE first). The WPI is multiplied by 1.4 to get the standard rating (dates of injury on or after 2013 under SB 863), then adjusted for the worker’s occupation and age, apportioned under Lab. Code §4663, and combined with any other impairments. Example — a 25% lower-extremity (LE) knee impairment: 25 × 0.4 = 10% WPI, then 10 × 1.4 = 14 standard rating (DOI ≥ 2013), before the occupational and age adjustments.
What body parts are in the Hip, knee, ankle & foot section of the PDRS?
The 2005 PDRS lists 65 impairments here, covering Leg, Pelvis, Hip, Femur, Knee, Tibia, Ankle, Foot, Toes. Hip, knee, ankle, foot and toes — usually rated on the lower-extremity (LE) scale.
Does the occupation change a hip, knee, ankle & foot rating?
Yes — after the ×1.4 step, the occupational group applies a variant that raises or lowers the standard rating. See the occupation pages for how each group treats this region.
Is this a legal PD rating?
No — it’s an estimate for informational use. Confirm every rating against the DEU. RateString rates strict AMA Guides 5th-edition values under the 2005 PDRS.
What a knee rating pays
This impairment at 10% WPI across three occupations — the variant does the moving:
Computed live by the rating engine — 10% WPI, age 42–46, single impairment, no apportionment, dollars at the 2026 maximum PD rate. Run any combination in the calculator.
Rate this impairment — free
Enter the WPI, occupation, and age — get a defensible PD rating and indemnity in under a minute.