Journal of hand therapy : official journal of the American Society of Hand Therapists
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Comparative Study
Patient-perceived outcome after displaced distal radius fractures. A comparison between radiological parameters, objective physical variables, and the DASH score.
Outcome after distal radius fractures has traditionally been measured by radiological parameters and objective physical variables. To what extent these measurements reflect outcome as perceived by the patient has been questioned. We evaluated the association between radiological position, objective physical result (grip strength and range of movement), and the patient-perceived outcome, measured with the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand outcome (DASH) score, in 78 patients with a healed unilateral distal radius fracture treated with either closed reduction and plaster splint or external fixation. ⋯ However, radial shortening > or = 2mm, dorsal angulation >15 degrees, and radial angulation >10 degrees were each significantly associated with a poorer DASH score. Reduced grip strength, extension, and ulnar deviation correlated with a poorer DASH score. In conclusion, we found that better final radiological and objective physical results were associated with a better patient-perceived outcome, as measured by the DASH score, in this patient group.