Finkelstein Test: How to Check for De Quervain's Tenosynovitis

The Finkelstein Test is a classic special test for the wrist, used by physiotherapists to assess for De Quervain's Tenosynovitis. This test is designed to provoke pain in the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist.

1. Purpose

The primary purpose of the Finkelstein Test is to **test for** De Quervain's Tenosynovitis (also known as De Quervain's syndrome or disease). This is a condition involving inflammation of the abductor pollicis longus (APL) and extensor pollicis brevis (EPB) tendons at the radial styloid.

2. How to Perform

1. The patient is positioned in sitting or standing.
2. The examiner instructs the patient to "make a fist with your thumb tucked inside" your other fingers.
3. The examiner stabilizes the patient's forearm with one hand.
4. The examiner then gently and passively moves the patient's wrist into ulnar deviation (bending it towards the little finger).
5. (Alternatively, the patient can perform this movement actively).

3. Positive & Negative Sign

Positive Sign (Test is POSITIVE):
A positive test (indicating De Quervain's) is:

• Reproduction of the patient's familiar, sharp pain over the radial styloid (the thumb side of the wrist).

Negative Sign (Test is NEGATIVE):
A negative test is the absence of sharp, localized pain. A mild stretching sensation along the forearm is not considered a positive sign.