Enter Assessment Data
Use 1 to 5 response values. Leave at most three items blank.
Formula Used
Standard DASH formula:
DASH Score = ((Sum of completed responses ÷ Number of completed items) − 1) × 25
At least 27 of 30 items should be completed.
Higher scores indicate greater upper extremity disability or symptom burden.
Practical severity guide used on this page
- 0 to 20: Minimal disability
- 21 to 40: Mild disability
- 41 to 60: Moderate disability
- 61 to 80: Marked disability
- 81 to 100: Severe disability
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter patient details if you want them on exports.
- Score each item from 1 to 5.
- Complete at least 27 items for standard scoring.
- Click the calculate button to generate results.
- Review DASH score, function index, and symptom index.
- Use the chart for a quick visual summary.
- Download CSV for spreadsheets or PDF for reports.
- Compare repeated assessments to track recovery progress.
Example Data Table
| Case | Answered Items | Raw Sum | Mean Response | DASH Score | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Post-op Week 2 | 30 | 104 | 3.47 | 61.67 | Marked disability |
| Tendon Rehab Week 6 | 29 | 76 | 2.62 | 40.52 | Moderate disability |
| Follow-up Week 12 | 30 | 49 | 1.63 | 15.83 | Minimal disability |
| Shoulder Pain Review | 28 | 88 | 3.14 | 53.57 | Moderate disability |
| Work Capacity Check | 30 | 67 | 2.23 | 30.83 | Mild disability |
FAQs
1. What does the DASH score measure?
It summarizes self-reported upper extremity disability and symptoms. A higher score means more difficulty, pain, weakness, stiffness, or participation restriction during daily tasks.
2. Why are 27 completed items required?
Standard DASH scoring allows limited missing responses. With fewer than 27 completed items, the calculated score becomes less reliable and should not be treated as a standard total.
3. Is a higher DASH score better?
No. Lower scores suggest less disability. Higher scores suggest greater limitation, more symptoms, and broader impact on work, self-care, recreation, or participation.
4. Can I use this for repeat follow-up visits?
Yes. Repeated scoring is useful for tracking trends over time. Comparing totals, averages, and charted results can show whether treatment is improving daily function.
5. What is the difference between DASH score and function index?
The DASH score is the main normalized total. The function index isolates task-related items, helping you see whether activity difficulty is driving the overall result.
6. What is the symptom index used for?
It summarizes symptom-focused items such as pain, tingling, weakness, stiffness, sleep disruption, and confidence loss. It helps separate symptom burden from task difficulty.
7. Are the severity bands official?
They are practical interpretation bands for this calculator. They help organize results quickly, but they do not replace clinical judgment or official reporting standards.
8. Can this replace a clinician assessment?
No. It is a structured scoring and reporting aid. Final interpretation should always consider diagnosis, examination findings, treatment stage, and patient-specific context.