Association between perceived and objective hand-wrist function in distal radius fracture

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Health Outcomes Research

Background:

• Understanding patient expectations is crucial in managing distal radius fractures (DRF).
• Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) like the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ) provide valuable insights into hand functionality.
• The correlation between PROMs and objective clinical measures after DRF requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ) and objective measurements in patients with distal radius fracture (DRF).
• To assess how different sections of the MHQ correlate with joint motion and grip strength at various time points post-treatment.

Main Methods:

• Eighty-four patients with DRF treated operatively or non-operatively were included.
• Hand functionality was assessed using the MHQ.
• Objective measures included joint motion (at 6 and 12 weeks) and grip strength (at 12 weeks).
• Spearman correlation analysis was used to determine relationships between MHQ scores and objective measurements.

Main Results:

• Several MHQ subsections correlated with joint motion (forearm pronation-supination, wrist flexion/extension, radial/ulnar deviation) at 6 and 12 weeks post-DRF.
• Both gross and fine grip strength at 12 weeks correlated with most MHQ subsections, excluding overall hand function, work performance, and pain.
• Specific joint motions showed varying correlations with MHQ scores at different time points.

Conclusions:

• The MHQ subsections demonstrate significant correlations with objective measures of joint motion and grip strength in the early stages following DRF.
• These findings enhance the understanding of patient expectations and the clinical relevance of PROMs in DRF management.
• The study highlights the utility of the MHQ in assessing functional recovery and aligning it with objective clinical outcomes.