Which test, when positive, is most associated with De Quervain's tenosynovitis?

Which test, when positive, is most associated with De Quervain's tenosynovitis?

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

Answer: (A)

De Quervain's tenosynovitis involves inflammation and narrowing of the sheath around the tendons that move the thumb, specifically the abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis as they pass through the first dorsal compartment near the radial wrist. The Finkelstein maneuver tests exactly this area: the patient tucks the thumb into a fist and the wrist is bent toward the little finger side (ulnar deviation). This movement lengthens and compresses those two tendons within their tight sheath, so if the test reproduces significant pain on the radial wrist, it strongly supports De Quervain's. This is why this test is the best choice. The other tests point to different problems: Phalen's and Tinel's signs assess carpal tunnel syndrome or median nerve irritation, and the golfer's elbow test targets medial epicondylitis at the elbow. So a positive result in the described maneuver most specifically indicates De Quervain's tenosynovitis.

De Quervain's tenosynovitis involves inflammation and narrowing of the sheath around the tendons that move the thumb, specifically the abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis as they pass through the first dorsal compartment near the radial wrist. The Finkelstein maneuver tests exactly this area: the patient tucks the thumb into a fist and the wrist is bent toward the little finger side (ulnar deviation). This movement lengthens and compresses those two tendons within their tight sheath, so if the test reproduces significant pain on the radial wrist, it strongly supports De Quervain's.

This is why this test is the best choice. The other tests point to different problems: Phalen's and Tinel's signs assess carpal tunnel syndrome or median nerve irritation, and the golfer's elbow test targets medial epicondylitis at the elbow. So a positive result in the described maneuver most specifically indicates De Quervain's tenosynovitis.