The Finkelstein Test is used to diagnose which condition?

• A. De Quervain's syndrome
• B. Carpal tunnel syndrome
• C. Ganglion cyst
• D. Trigger finger

Answer: (A)

The Finkelstein test directly targets the first dorsal compartment of the wrist, where the abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis tendons glide. Inflammation of the tendon sheath here causes pain with thumb movement. During the test, the patient tucks the thumb into a fist and the wrist is gently moved into ulnar deviation. If this maneuver reproduces sharp pain over the radial side of the wrist near the base of the thumb, it indicates stenosing tenosynovitis of the first dorsal compartment, i.e., De Quervain's tenosynovitis.

This is why the test is the best choice: it specifically assesses the tendinous sheath involved in this condition. Other wrist problems don’t produce the same painful reaction with this particular maneuver—for example, carpal tunnel syndrome presents with median-nerve symptoms and is evaluated with other tests; a ganglion cyst presents as a palpable mass; trigger finger involves catching or locking of a finger due to pulley thickening rather than the first dorsal compartment tendons.