Wrist Tests

Question 1

Phalen’s

Answer 1

• test for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• flex clients wrist by pushing dorsal aspects of the hands against each other and hold for 1 min.
• positive: pain and/or tingling in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and lateral half of the 4th finger

Question 2

Reverse Phalen’s

Answer 2

• test for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• client puts both palms together in extension while bringing the hands down towards their waist, keeping palms together
• positive: tingling into 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and lateral half of 4th finger

Question 3

Finklestein’s Test

Answer 3

• test for DeQuervain’s tenosynovitis
• client makes a fist with thumb inside the fingers and then therapist stabilizes the forearm and ulnar deviates wrist
• positive: pain over Abductor Pollicis Longus and Extensor Pollicis Brevis tendon at the wrist

Question 4

Ulnar Ligamentous Stress Test

Answer 4

• assess radial collateral ligament
• clients hand is supinated, then passively ulnar deviate the wrist adding some OP at the end of the passive range
• positive: pain and hypermobility on the lateral aspect of the wrist