The value of modified DASH questionnaire for evaluation of elbow function after supracondylar fractures in children

The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) Outcome Questionnaire represents a region-specific instrument for functional outcome measurement of hand function. The aim of the study was to analyse the correlation between the values of modified DASH questionnaire and change of elbow function after supracondylar fracture (SCF) of humerus and to analyse the effects of early rehabilitation.

The study included 35 schoolaged children with flexion of SCF of humerus without lesion of nerves. The patients were divided into two groups: group A in which rehabilitation started up to 14 days after the removal of fixation (20 children), and group B in which rehabilitation started after 15 days and more (15 children). The effects of the applied rehabilitation procedures were analyzed by measuring the range of motion of elbow and using modified DASH questionnaire. Testing was performed during the first examination, on the first day of rehabilitation (retest) and after the rehabilitation. Pearson's coefficient of liner correlation was applied.

Statistically significant negative correlation of DASH score and extension was verified in all three measurements. The values for the first test and for the final test were highly significant (p < 0.001), as well as negative correlation of DASH score and flexion on the first test and retest (p < 0.01), and at the end of rehabilitation (p < 0.001) in the group B. For all three tests in the group A negative correlation without significant differences for DASH score and flexion was found.

A modified DASH questionnaire correlates with objective parameters of final status of elbow after SCF in children and it is applicable to small series of patients. A positive effect of early rehabilitation of children with SCF was found.