The futility of physical testing in the assessment of disability

Although medical opinions are widely utilized, disability is ultimately a legal and not a medical determination. In individuals with complex medical problems, particularly those claiming disability in relation to chronic pain, tests of physical functioning alone have little utility in either predicting ultimate disability or in accurately assessing its presence. In this population, psychosocial factors appear to be more significant determinants of disability. Appropriate assessment, therefore, calls for multidisciplinary intervention by experienced professionals.