Which action is associated with Finkelstein's test for DeQuervain's syndrome?

• A. Form a fist around the thumb. Ulnar deviate the wrist. Positive is pain
• B. Extend fingers while abducting the thumb
• C. Flex the wrist and radially deviate
• D. Fist with all fingers extended while pronating

Answer: (A)

De Quervain's syndrome involves the first dorsal compartment tendons, the abductor pollicis longus and the extensor pollicis brevis. Finkelstein's test specifically assesses this area by having you make a fist with the thumb tucked inside the fingers and then bend the wrist toward the little finger side (ulnar deviation). This position tightens the tendons as they pass through their tendon sheath, so if there is stenosing tenosynovitis, the maneuver reproduces sharp pain along the radial side of the wrist. A positive result supports the diagnosis. The other actions do not place the same tendons under tension in the first dorsal compartment, so they’re not used to test for this condition.