For detecting De Quervain's Tenosynovitis, where the thumb is in a fist and you ulnarly deviate, which test is used?

For detecting De Quervain's Tenosynovitis, where the thumb is in a fist and you ulnarly deviate, which test is used?

• A. Phalen's test
• B. Tinel sign
• C. Ober test
• D. Finkelstein's test

Answer: (D)

De Quervain's tenosynovitis involves thickening of the tendon sheath for the thumb tendons that run through the first dorsal compartment (abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis). The Finkelstein's test checks this by having the patient make a fist with the thumb tucked inside the fingers and then the wrist is bent toward the ulna. This positioning stretches those tendons within their sheath; if this motion causes pain over the radial aspect of the distal forearm near the radial styloid, it supports the diagnosis. Phalen's test and Tinel sign target median nerve compression (carpal tunnel issues), and the Ober test assesses iliotibial band tightness at the hip, not the thumb tendons.

De Quervain's tenosynovitis involves thickening of the tendon sheath for the thumb tendons that run through the first dorsal compartment (abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis). The Finkelstein's test checks this by having the patient make a fist with the thumb tucked inside the fingers and then the wrist is bent toward the ulna. This positioning stretches those tendons within their sheath; if this motion causes pain over the radial aspect of the distal forearm near the radial styloid, it supports the diagnosis.

Phalen's test and Tinel sign target median nerve compression (carpal tunnel issues), and the Ober test assesses iliotibial band tightness at the hip, not the thumb tendons.