How to Perform a Finkelstein's Test of the Hand

De Quervain syndrome is a hand disease that causes pain, inflammation and swelling on the outside of the thumb joint. The syndrome also makes it hard to grip objects with the afflicted hand, which can be an incredible nuisance in everyday activities. In order to quickly diagnose De Quervain syndrome, doctors perform Finkelstein's Test of the Hand. It's simple and accurate at diagnosing the syndrome, if you do it correctly.

Instructions

• 1

  Instruct the patient to sit on an examination table or in an elevated chair. He or she should be as comfortable and relaxed as possible.

• 2

  Have the patient hold the afflicted hand in the air. The other arm should be resting against his or her body.

• 3

  Grasp the patient's hand and rotate it toward the outside of the forearm, a position known as ulnar deviation. The wrist won't move very much, so don't force it beyond 20 degrees of flexion.

• 4

  Pull the patient's thumb across the palm of his or her hand. This places tension on the extensor tendons of the thumb.

• 5

  Ask the patient if he or she feels pain radiating up the inside of his or her arm from the thumb. If the patient reports noticeable pain, the Finkelstein's Test is positive, and De Quervain syndrome is present.