• Classifying work and sporting activity levels in patients with knee injuries.
• Providing context to other functional scores (like Lysholm) by identifying total knee demand.
• Evaluating pre-injury vs. post-operative activity levels.

• 0: Sick leave or disability due to knee problems.
• 1–3: Sedentary work to light labor / ADLs with symptoms.
• 4–5: Moderately heavy labor; recreational sports (Swimmng, cycling, jogging).
• 6: Recreational sports (Tennis, downhill skiing); Jogging 5+ times/week.
• 7–9: Competitive sports (Tennis, basketball, wrestling, lower division soccer).
• 10: Elite competitive sports (Soccer, football, rugby — national/international level).

The patient selects the SINGLE highest level of activity they are currently capable of performing.

A high Lysholm score (e.g., 90) in an athlete at Tegner Level 3 is clinically different from a score of 90 at Tegner Level 9. The latter indicates a much higher functional capacity because the knee is stable under extreme athletic loads.

• Always document BOTH current activity level and highest pre-injury level.
• Levels 6–10 are considered "pivoting/cutting" sports and represent the highest risk for re-injury.
• The Tegner score helps set realistic expectations: an athlete may never return to Level 10, but Level 7 (recreational) may be a successful outcome.

• Level < 4: High functional limitation; prioritize basic ADLs and low-impact strength.
• Level 4–6: Transition to "Impact Loading" (plyometrics, jogging).
• Level > 7: Requires advanced proprioception, agility, and sports-specific metabolic conditioning.