|
Tinel Sign (Wrist) |
|
Examination type |
Neurological |
|
Patient & Body Segment Positioning |
The patient
sits with involved arm supported on a flat surface and with hand
supinated to expose the ventral/volar surface of the wrist |
|
Examiner Position |
The examiner
sits or stands in front of the patient |
|
Performing the Test |
The examiner
taps the volar aspect of the subject’s wrist over the area of
the carpal tunnel |
|
Tissues
Being Tested |
Median nerve |
|
Positive Test |
Complaints
of tingling, parasthesia, or pain by the subject in the area of
the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and/or radial one-half
of the ring finger indicates a positive test. |
|
Interpretation |
A positive
test may be indicative of a compression of the median nerve in
the carpal tunnel, or carpal tunnel syndrome |
|
Common errors in
performing exam |
Missing the
carpal tunnel/median nerve when tapping on the wrist |
|
Factors possibly
resulting in misinterpretation |
Missing the
median nerve when tapping can produce a false negative test. |
|
Related tests |
Phalen’s
test, Reverse Phalen’s test, Two-point
discrimination test, Carpal compression test |
|
References |
Crouch, Tammy. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and
Repetitive Stress Injuries. Berkeley: Frog, 1995.
Seiler,
John Gray. "Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Update on Diagnostic Testing
and Treatment Options." Consultant 37 no. 5 (May 1997): 1233+.
Magee, David
J. (2002). Orthopedic Physical Assessment. Philadelphia,
PA: Elsevier. |
|
Links: |
American Academy of Family Physicians |
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