Background: The QuickDASH outcome measure is used in clinical settings and is a valid and reliable measurement tool for disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand.  There is limited literature providing typical QuickDASH scores for upper limb conditions.

Aims: The study aim was to establish typical ranges for QuickDASH scores and determine if prognostic factors such as age, gender, hand dominance, smoking history, diabetes status, occupation, and therapy attendance influenced scores. 

Method: A retrospective cohort study involving patient chart review and covering a five-year period from January 2009 – December 2014.  Four hundred and eighty-one patients who attended a hand, elbow and wrist therapy service were identified, with one of five upper limb conditions: a flexor or extensor tendon injury/repair, a distal-radius fracture, a metacarpal fracture, or complex trauma.

Results: The distributions of initial and final QuickDASH scores were determined and plotted, and will be presented for these upper limb conditions, together with 80% cut-points to aid clinical decision-making. The therapy period was consistently associated with a substantial shift in the distribution of QuickDASH scores from high to low. Age, initial QuickDASH result, time between injury and initial therapy session, and attendance all affected QuickDASH change and final scores.

Conclusion:  The QuickDASH is a valuable outcome measure for clinicians to demonstrate progress and to identify higher-risk patients, by reference to typical score distributions.