Athletic Training & Sports Medicine Center

  

Examination Links:

 

Phalen's or Wrist Press Test
Examination type Neurological
Patient & Body Segment Positioning Patient sits or stands comfortably with the dorsal aspect of both hands in full contact so that both wrists are maximally flexed
Examiner Position Examiner stands in front of patient
Performing the Test The patient applies a steady compressive force through his or her forearms so that the wrists are maximally flexed.  Hold for one minute.
Tissues Being Tested Median nerve
Positive Test Patient will feel numbness or tingling in the thumb, middle finger, index finger, and lateral aspect of the ring finger.
Interpretation Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Common errors in performing exam Passively flexing the patient’s wrist with too much force or holding the wrists flexed for too long.
Factors possibly resulting in misinterpretation Pain in the wrist area without complaints of radiating pain distally toward the hand and fingers may indicate carpal bone pathology.
Related tests Reverse Phalen’s Test; Tinel’s Sign; Carpal Compression Test
References

Konin. Special Test for Orthopedic Examination. 2nd Ed. 2002. pp.105.

Magee. Orthopedic Physical Assessment. 4th Ed. 2002. pp.397 
Links:

http://www.chiroweb.com/archives/13/08/02.html

http://www.e-hand.com/hw/ctsslater.htm
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