Activity limitations and compensatory mechanism use following limited wrist fusion.
OBJECTIVE
To document the activity limitations experienced by patients who had undergone a 4-corner wrist fusion, and the compensatory mechanisms they use in daily life.


METHODS
Patients completed 2 copies of the Adelaide Questionnaire, a measure with a standardized section and an individualized section. The test-retest reliability of the questionnaire was evaluated.


RESULTS
Twenty-five patients were recruited to the study, and 21 completed both questionnaires. Excellent test-retest reliability was gained for both the standardized and individualized sections of the Adelaide Questionnaire.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with 4-corner wrist fusions report activity limitations following surgery, particularly with daily tasks that involve hand/forearm rotation and grip strength. Various compensatory mechanisms are used by the majority of patients. The impact of these mechanisms on activity limitations varies between patients, but often decreases impact of the activity limitations on everyday life.
Bialocerkowski
Andrea E
AE
School of Physiotherapy, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. aebial@unimelb.edu.au
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001174:Arthrodesis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000592:standards; D020127:Recovery of Function; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery*