Understanding the Phalen’s Test Assessment
To provoke symptoms associated with **Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)**, which is median nerve entrapment at the wrist.
Watch How It's Done
How do I start?
Patient is sitting or standing.
What happens?
The patient is instructed to passively and maximally **flex both wrists** by pushing the dorsal surfaces of the hands together. This position is held for **60 seconds**.
In Plain English
What Does a Positive Result Mean?
The reproduction of **numbness and tingling** in the median nerve distribution (thumb, index, middle, and radial half of the ring finger) within 60 seconds.
Helpful Tip:
Wrist flexion increases pressure within the carpal tunnel, compressing the median nerve.
Safety First
This guide is to help you understand what happens in a clinic. Do not try to diagnose yourself. If you have severe pain, swelling, or cannot put weight on your leg, please visit an urgent care center or your doctor immediately.
Other Wrist/Hand Tests
Beighton Score
To quantify **generalized joint hypermobility** (laxity) across the body. The wrist/hand components assess passive joint laxity.
Bunnell-Littler Test (or Finochietto-Bunnell Test)
To differentiate between **Intrinsic Muscle tightness** (interossei and lumbricals) and **Capsular restriction** at the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint.
De Quervain's Tenosynovitis
This is the **condition name** (inflammation of the APL and EPB tendons), not a specific test. The Finkelstein Test is the primary diagnostic test.
Elson Test
To assess the integrity of the **Central Slip** of the Extensor Digitorum Communis (EDC) tendon, rupture of which leads to a Boutonniere deformity.