BackgroundThe Quick Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) questionnaire is a region-specific, self-administered questionnaire, which consists of a disability/symptom (QuickDASH-DS) scale, and the same two optional modules, the work (DASH-W) and the sport/music (DASH-SM) modules, as the DASH. After the Japanese version of DASH (DASH-JSSH) was cross-culturally adapted and developed, we made the Japanese version of QuickDASH (QuickDASH-JSSH) by extracting 11 out of 30 items of the DASH-JSSH regarding disability/symptoms. The purpose of this study was to test the reliability, validity, and responsiveness of QuickDASH-JSSH.MethodsA series of 72 patients with upper extremity disorders completed the QuickDASH-JSSH, the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain. Thirty-eight of the patients were reassessed for test–retest reliability 1 or 2 weeks later. Reliability was investigated by the reproducibility and internal consistency. To analyze the validity, a principal component analysis and the correlation coefficients between the QuickDASH-JSSH and the SF-36 were obtained. The responsiveness was examined by calculating the standardized response mean (SRM; mean change/SD) and effect size (mean change/SD of baseline value) after carpal tunnel release of the 17 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.ResultsCronbach’s alpha coefficient in the QuickDASH-DS was 0.88. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for the same was 0.82. The unidimensionality of the QuickDASH-DS was confirmed. The correlation coefficients between the QuickDASH-DS and the DASH-DS, DASH-W, or the DASH-SM were 0.92, 0.81, or 0.76, respectively. The correlation coefficients between the QuickDASH-DS score and the subscales of the SF-36 ranged from −0.29 to −0.73. The correlation coefficient between the QuickDASH-DS score and the VAS for pain was 0.52. The SRM/effect size of QuickDASH-DS was −0.54/−0.37, which indicated moderate sensitivity.ConclusionThe Japanese version of QuickDASH has equivalent evaluation capacities to the original QuickDASH.

The methods and clinical outcomes of intrasheath triamcinolone injection in the treatment of de Quervain's disease are described. We used 38 hands of 36 patients. A mixture of 1 ml of triamcinolone and 1 ml of 1% lidocaine hydrochloride was injected, with an interval of 2 weeks. The fluid was injected into one point above the induration for the first 18 hands and into two points over the extensor pollicis brevis and abductor pollicis longus tendon in the induration for hands 19-38. The efficacy rate was 89%, with the treatment results of the two-point injection better than those of the one-point injection. Recurrence was observed in ten hands, and complications in 13 hands; however, over 90% of patients were satisfied with the injection. The accurate injection of triamcinolone into the sheath of both the extensor pollicis brevis and abductor pollicis longus tendon was considered very effective for de Quervain's disease.

The PRWE-J has evaluation capacities equivalent to those of the original PRWE.

This study investigates whether the proliferative activity of giant cell tumour of tendon sheath is related to its recurrence rate and local aggressiveness. The clinicopathological and immunohistochemical features of 30 localized giant cell tumours of tendon sheath were studied and the influence of the MIB-1 staining index on recurrence, tumour extent around the phalanx and involvement of the bone were evaluated. No significant difference in the MIB-1 staining index was found between the lesions which recurred and those which did not. Also there was no significant association between local aggressiveness and the MIB-1 staining index. These results suggest that the proliferative activity of localized giant cell tumour of tendon sheath is not related to its high recurrence rate and local aggressiveness.

This study confirms that MR imaging is able to depict the characteristic internal signal of GCTTS. Moreover, it can accurately assess the tumor size and degree of extent around the phalanx, which can affect the type of surgical approach.