Understanding the Supination Lift Test Assessment
To assess for a tear of the **Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex (TFCC)**, which is crucial for distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) stability.
Watch How It's Done
How do I start?
Patient is sitting. Elbows are flexed 90° with the forearms in supination (palms up).
What happens?
The patient is instructed to actively lift a **heavy object** or push up against the bottom of a table using their hands while maintaining full supination.
In Plain English
What Does a Positive Result Mean?
Sharp **pain localized to the ulnar side of the wrist** (over the TFCC) and a feeling of weakness.
Helpful Tip:
This test loads the TFCC by placing compressive and rotational forces on the distal radioulnar joint.
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.