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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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