[Does the disability of shoulder, arm and hand questionnaire (DASH) replace grip strength and range of motion in...

Scoring systems currently used to evaluate functional disabilities in upper extremity conditions frequently combine so-called "objective" parameters such as grip strength and range of motion with "subjective" parameters such as pain. Since its introduction, the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire has proven useful in the pre- and postoperative evaluation of functional limitations of the upper extremity. This study examines the relationship between DASH scores, the so-called "objective" parameters of grip strength and range of motion and those of "mixed scores" such as Krimmer and Cooney Scores. Based on the data of six diagnostic groups, Spearman's correlation coefficients were calculated. There was no correlation between DASH scores and range of motion, however, some of the diagnostic groups showed a moderate correlation between DASH scores and grip strength. Both the Krimmer and Cooney scores showed a significant correlation with the DASH scores, indicating that these "mixed-scores" can be replaced by the DASH. Since it has been shown that grip strength and range of motion do not capture patients' functional limitations adequately, their continued use in the evaluation of upper extremity conditions should be the topic of further discussion.