The Structured Disfigurement Rating (SDR) is a standardized medical tool used to objectively quantify the severity of scarring or physical disfigurement. This system provides a consistent framework for medical professionals to evaluate a scar’s impact on an individual’s appearance. By assigning a numerical value, the SDR translates complex visual and physical characteristics into a single, measurable, and repeatable score.
Purpose and Application of the Structured Disfigurement Rating
The primary function of this rating system is to introduce objectivity into the subjective field of scar assessment. Medical professionals, particularly plastic surgeons and dermatologists, use the scale to document the severity of a scar at the point of maximum medical improvement. This documentation establishes a clear, measurable baseline for the permanent physical deficit.
The objective measure is necessary for various administrative and legal contexts. The resulting numerical score serves as a critical input in determining impairment ratings for insurance claims and legal proceedings. The standardized measure ensures a fair and consistent evaluation of the physical impact of disfigurement, which is essential when calculating compensation or benefits related to a permanent injury.
Factors That Determine Scar Severity
The calculation begins by assessing several specific, measurable characteristics of the scar itself. Anatomical location is a primary factor, as disfigurement on the face or neck generally carries a greater impact than on the torso or limbs. The size of the scar is measured precisely in terms of both length and width, providing the foundational dimension for the rating.
Scar characteristics are evaluated based on deviations from normal skin appearance. Color is assessed for persistent redness, hyperpigmentation (darkening), or hypopigmentation (lightening). Texture is another factor, checking for raised and thickened keloid or hypertrophic features, or depressed and sunken atrophic features. The overall visibility of the scar, including whether it is shiny or irregular, also contributes to the initial severity rating.
Step-by-Step Calculation Methodology
The calculation process translates physical measurements and observations into a numerical rating using a multi-step formula. The method begins with establishing a Base Score, which is derived from the scar’s size, such as its total length or surface area. This base number represents the severity of the scar without considering its location or specific characteristics.
The core methodology involves applying two primary weighting factors: the Location Multiplier (L) and the Characteristics Multiplier (C). The Location Multiplier assigns a higher value to scars in areas of greater cosmetic or functional importance. For example, a facial scar may receive a multiplier up to 5.0, while a scar of the same size on the lower leg might receive a multiplier of 1.0.
The Characteristics Multiplier adjusts the score based on the scar’s appearance, texture, and color. A flat, pale scar will have a low C-multiplier, perhaps 1.0, while a deeply pigmented, raised, and irregular scar will receive a higher C-multiplier, potentially ranging up to 3.0.
Calculating the Final Rating
The final numerical rating is calculated by multiplying the Base Score by both weighting factors: Base Score × L × C = Final Rating. This system ensures that a small, visible scar with poor characteristics on the face receives a significantly higher numerical rating than a large, pale scar with good texture on the back.
Interpreting the Final Rating
The resulting numerical score provides a single, objective number signifying the overall severity of the disfigurement. The final rating is categorized into established ranges that correlate to a specific level of disfigurement.
Scores are typically categorized as follows:
- Minor Disfigurement (0–5)
- Moderate Disfigurement (6–10)
- Severe Disfigurement (11–15)
- Extreme Disfigurement (16 or greater)
This categorical rating translates directly into a percentage of “Whole Person Impairment” used by insurance carriers and courts. This percentage value standardizes financial awards by providing a measurable metric for the non-economic impact of the permanent disfigurement.