Measurement properties of the Danish version of the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Patient reported outcome measures are often used in medical research to evaluate symptoms and functional status in patients. The Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire is specifically designed to evaluate functional status and symptom severity in patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. The aim of this study was to validate and examine the measurement properties of the Functional Status Scale and Symptom Severity Scale from the Danish translated Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed 88 prospectively enrolled patients in the validity and responsiveness group and 31 prospectively enrolled patients in the reliability group. Patients in the validity and responsiveness group answered the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire and the Danish translated Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire preoperatively and after surgery. Patients in the responsiveness group answered the same questionnaire two times prior to surgery. RESULTS: Responsiveness of the two subscales were high (Effect Size 0.99/1.76; Standardized Response Mean 0.86/1.50). Correlation to the Danish validated QuickDASH was high (rho 0.75/0.89). Test-retest reliability was high (ICC 0.94/0.90) and the internal consistency was high (Cronbach's alpha 0.93/0.92). CONCLUSION: Our study shows satisfactory results of both subscales of the Danish translated Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire. This makes it highly useful when conducting research on patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The Danish Data Protection Agency: jr. nr. 2007-58-0010.

Ulnar shortening osteotomy after Colles fracture.

Ulnar shortening is well accepted in the treatment of ulnar abutment but less so in patients with a shortened radius and ulnar-sided wrist pain as a result of a Colles fracture. Sixteen patients with pain and reduced range of movement (ROM) and a median preoperative ulnar positive variance of 5 mm (range 0.5-11) had 17 osteotomies. Nine were male and seven female with a median age of 35 (range 15-55) years were operated on. Fifteen patients with 16 osteotomies could be reached for follow-up. The ulna was shortened by a median of 4.5 mm (range 3-12). The median pain score was reduced by 3 points (range 0-5). Postoperative ROM was improved in nine, unchanged in six, and reduced in one wrists. There were four complications: one re-fracture, two transient paraesthesiae, and one superficial infection. Seven of the patients regarded the result as excellent, six as good, three as fair, and none regarded it as poor. Thirteen of the 16 would have chosen the operation again, three would not.

[Scapulae alatae--angels' wings. A study of 64 patients treated with braces and physical therapy at the Viberg's hospital]. / Scapulae alatae--englevinger. En opgørelse of 64 patienter behandlet med brace-bandage og fysioterapi på Viborg Sygehus.

INTRODUCTION: Scapula winging is characterized by a paresis/paralysis of either m. serratus anterior innervated by n. thoracis longus or m. trapezius innervated by n. accesorius. This investigation reveals the results after bracing and muscle training in patients suffering from scapula winging. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective, consecutive series consisting of 64 patients, 43 males and 21 females with a mean age of 37.8 years (15-75 years), were treated with bracing and muscle training in 1998-2001. Prior to the treatment of bracing all patients suffered from shoulder pain, shoulder fatigue and limited range of motion as well as cosmetic complaints, 28 patients had shoulder pain. RESULTS: At the time of the investigation all 64 patients had stopped using the brace after an average of 11 months (3-29 months). A total of 61 patients had returned to their previous work and sports activities. By the time of the one year follow-up control 18 (50%) patients had gained normal shoulder functions and had no complaints and no visible scapula winging. Ten (32%) had minor disability and two (6%) had major disability. Two patients had relapse of their scapula winging. (Both patients had formerly had normal ENG/EMG). DISCUSSION: We find that the combination of bracing and muscle training is successful in treating scapula winging. Electroneurography (ENG)/electromyography (EMG) was routinely performed but did not show any prognostic value for the treatment in our investigation.