Which test is used to detect De Quervain's Tenosynovitis when the thumb is in a fist and the wrist is deviated?

Which test is used to detect De Quervain's Tenosynovitis when the thumb is in a fist and the wrist is deviated?

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

Answer: (B)

De Quervain's tenosynovitis is inflammation of the tendons that move the thumb, specifically the abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis in the first dorsal compartment. When the thumb is tucked into a fist and the wrist is moved into ulnar deviation, this maneuver tensioning the involved tendon sheaths across the radial side of the wrist provokes pain if the tendons are inflamed. A painful response in that area—over the radial wrist/first dorsal compartment—constitutes a positive sign for this condition. Other tests target different problems: Phalen's test checks for median nerve compression (carpal tunnel), Tinel sign indicates nerve irritation at various sites, and Froment sign assesses weakness of the adductor pollicis from ulnar nerve palsy. Hence, this specific maneuver best detects De Quervain's when the thumb is in a fist with the wrist deviated.

De Quervain's tenosynovitis is inflammation of the tendons that move the thumb, specifically the abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis in the first dorsal compartment. When the thumb is tucked into a fist and the wrist is moved into ulnar deviation, this maneuver tensioning the involved tendon sheaths across the radial side of the wrist provokes pain if the tendons are inflamed. A painful response in that area—over the radial wrist/first dorsal compartment—constitutes a positive sign for this condition.

Other tests target different problems: Phalen's test checks for median nerve compression (carpal tunnel), Tinel sign indicates nerve irritation at various sites, and Froment sign assesses weakness of the adductor pollicis from ulnar nerve palsy. Hence, this specific maneuver best detects De Quervain's when the thumb is in a fist with the wrist deviated.