VISA-P
An index of the severity of patellar tendinopathy
What is the VISA-P?
The VISA-P (Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Patella) questionnaire is a validated, self-administered tool designed to assess the severity of patellar tendinopathy symptoms. It consists of eight questions that comprehensively evaluate pain levels, functional capacity in daily activities, and ability to participate in sports. The questionnaire is widely used by physiotherapists, orthopaedic surgeons, and sports medicine specialists to monitor patient progress and evaluate treatment outcomes. It is particularly valuable for assessing athletes with jumper's knee and tracking recovery over time.
Scoring System
The VISA-P comprises eight questions with a maximum total score of 100 points. Questions 1-6 use a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scored from 0 to 10, where 10 represents optimal health and no pain. Question 7 presents four categorical response options scored as 0, 4, 7, or 10 points. Question 8 assesses the duration of pain-free training or sports participation, with scoring based on time duration. All item scores are summed to produce a total score ranging from 0 (worst symptoms) to 100 (asymptomatic). Higher scores indicate better function and fewer symptoms.
General Information
Clinical Information
Instructions
In this questionnaire, the term "pain" refers specifically to pain in the knee cap region. Please answer each question honestly based on your symptoms over the past week.
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VISA-P
An index of the severity of patellar tendinopathy
Instructions:
In this questionnaire, the term "pain" refers specifically to pain in the knee cap region. Please answer each question honestly based on your symptoms over the past week.
Main Assessment (Questions 1-6)
0/10 = 0 minutes | 10/10 = 100 minutes
Strong severe pain = 0/10 | No pain = 10/10
Strong severe pain = 0/10 | No pain = 10/10
Strong severe pain = 0/10 | No pain = 10/10
Unable to do = 0/10 | No problems = 10/10
Strong severe pain = 0/10 | No pain = 10/10
Activity Level (Questions 7-8)
Not at all = 0 | Competing at the same or higher level = 10
8. Do you have pain undertaking sport?
Type: visa-p-8
8. Please complete EITHER A, B or C in this question. If you have no pain while undertaking sport please complete Q8a only. If you have pain while undertaking sport but it does not stop you from completing the activity, please complete Q8b only. If you have pain that stops you from completing sporting activities, please complete Q8c only.
Patient Watch Form - 10/31/2025
Detailed Scoring Methodology
The VISA-P comprises eight questions with a maximum total score of 100 points. Questions 1-6 use a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scored from 0 to 10, where 10 represents optimal health and no pain. Question 7 presents four categorical response options scored as 0, 4, 7, or 10 points. Question 8 assesses the duration of pain-free training or sports participation, with scoring based on time duration. All item scores are summed to produce a total score ranging from 0 (worst symptoms) to 100 (asymptomatic). Higher scores indicate better function and fewer symptoms.
Meaningful Change Threshold
A minimal clinically important difference (MCID) of 13 points has been established for the VISA-P. Changes of 13 points or more indicate a clinically meaningful improvement or deterioration in patellar tendinopathy symptoms. A score below 80 may indicate the presence of patellar tendinopathy requiring clinical attention.
About the Developers
Developed by the Victorian Institute of Sport Tendon Study Group, led by Visentini PJ, Khan KM, Cook JL, Kiss ZS, Harcourt PR, and Wark JD. First published in 1998 in the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. The questionnaire was specifically designed to provide a simple, reliable instrument for assessing the severity of symptoms in patients with patellar tendinopathy (jumper's knee).
Copyright Information
The VISA-P questionnaire is freely available for use in clinical practice and research settings without licensing fees or restrictions. It may be reproduced and used without permission from the developers, though proper citation of the original validation study is encouraged.
Administration Instructions
In this questionnaire, the term "pain" refers specifically to pain in the knee cap region. Please answer each question honestly based on your symptoms over the past week.
Limitations & Considerations
While the VISA-P is a widely validated and reliable instrument, it has several limitations: (1) The questionnaire may not capture all aspects of patellar tendinopathy, particularly psychological factors and quality of life impacts. (2) Some studies suggest the need for further validation across diverse populations, languages, and cultural contexts. (3) Question 8 regarding training duration may be less applicable to non-athletic populations. (4) The questionnaire focuses specifically on patellar tendinopathy and is not suitable for other knee conditions. (5) Ceiling effects may occur in mildly affected individuals or those near recovery.
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