Which test would indicate De Quervain's syndrome?

• A. Phalen's Test
• B. Reverse Phalen's Test
• C. Finkelstein Test
• D. Tinel's Sign

Answer: (C)

De Quervain's tenosynovitis is inflammation of the tendons in the first dorsal wrist compartment (abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis). To specifically provoke these tendons, the Finkelstein test is used: the patient tucks the thumb into the palm and grips it with the fingers, then the wrist is gently ulnar- deviated. Pain over the radial styloid during this motion indicates a positive result for this condition, because the movement tensions the involved tendons within their sheath, highlighting the stenosing pathology.

Phalen's and Tinel's signs target median nerve issues like carpal tunnel syndrome, and the reverse Phalen test also relates to nerve compression, not tendon sheath pathology.