Article

The purpose of the study was to explore the relationship between preoperative
flexion contracture (FC) and self-reported disability in patients undergoing
surgical release by fasciectomy or dermofasciectomy.
The study design used was a
prospective observational study: Dupuytren's disease (DD) is a fibroproliferative
disorder of the palmar fascia and may lead to functional deficits requiring
surgical intervention. Outcomes are usually reported using digital range of
motion although recent studies have also included patient-rated outcome measures
with the extensively validated Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH)
Questionnaire commonly used. One hundred fifty-four patients consecutively
enrolled in a prospective randomized trial were assessed before surgery for
active range of movement using goniometry and self-reported functioning using
DASH questionnaire. The small finger was affected in 69% of patients with a mean
FC of 77.8 degrees (standard deviation=43.5 degrees ). The mean DASH score was 16
points (range, 0-62). The correlation between severity of FC in all four fingers
and DASH was weak (r=0.264, p=0.001). At individual digital level, the
correlation between FC and DASH was weak in the index (r=0.26), middle (r=0.28),
and ring (r=0.21) fingers but almost absent in the small finger (r=0.07). These
results show that the relationship between severity of FC and functional
disability measured by the DASH questionnaire appear to be very weak or even
absent. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III prospective cohort study.
CI - Copyright (c) 2011 Hanley & Belfus. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights
reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS