Purpose: To propose the joint use of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and to illustrate this proposal using musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions.
Method: In light of the MSK conditions as classified in the ICD, categories from existing ICF core sets for MSK conditions were pooled to specify functioning. Another approach was to consider other categories from measures or instruments already linked in the literature.
Results: ICF Categories have been pooled from six core sets for MSK conditions, two specific care settings, one MSK clinical trial setting and eight instrument linkage papers.
Conclusions: The ICD-ICF joint use would be able to capture the impact of a health condition by taking into account the disease and functioning status which would facilitate clinical care. Therefore, there is reasonable ground to demonstrate the operational linkage and complementary role of the ICD and the ICF in the context of the ICD revision.