Which test assesses median nerve compression?

Which test assesses median nerve compression?

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

Answer: (A)

Testing median nerve compression at the carpal tunnel. Phalen's test works by putting the wrists into full flexion, which increases pressure inside the carpal tunnel and can reproduce numbness or tingling in the median nerve distribution (thumb, index, middle finger, and half of the ring finger) if compression is present. This direct provocation makes it a sensitive bedside maneuver for carpal tunnel syndrome. The other tests target different issues: tapping over the nerve (Tinel’s sign) can indicate nerve irritation but is not specific to compression alone; Finkelstein’s test checks for De Quervain’s tenosynovitis rather than nerve compression; and the Golfer’s elbow test assesses medial epicondylitis at the elbow rather than carpal tunnel compression.

Testing median nerve compression at the carpal tunnel. Phalen's test works by putting the wrists into full flexion, which increases pressure inside the carpal tunnel and can reproduce numbness or tingling in the median nerve distribution (thumb, index, middle finger, and half of the ring finger) if compression is present. This direct provocation makes it a sensitive bedside maneuver for carpal tunnel syndrome.

The other tests target different issues: tapping over the nerve (Tinel’s sign) can indicate nerve irritation but is not specific to compression alone; Finkelstein’s test checks for De Quervain’s tenosynovitis rather than nerve compression; and the Golfer’s elbow test assesses medial epicondylitis at the elbow rather than carpal tunnel compression.