Finkelstein Test Purpose Technique and What Results Mean
Finkelstein Test: Purpose, Technique, and What Results Mean Health ConditionsFeaturedBreast CancerIBD MigraineMultiple Sclerosis (MS)Rheumatoid ArthritisType 2 DiabetesSponsored TopicsArticlesAcid RefluxADHDAllergiesAlzheimer's & DementiaBipolar DisorderCancerCrohn's DiseaseChronic PainCold & FluCOPDDepressionFibromyalgiaHeart DiseaseHigh CholesterolHIVHypertensionIPFOsteoarthritisPsoriasisSkin Disorders and CareSTDsDiscoverWellness TopicsNutritionFitnessSkin CareSexual HealthWomen's HealthMental HealthSleepOriginal SeriesFresh Food FastDiagnosis DiariesYou’re Not AlonePresent TenseVideo SeriesYouth in FocusHealthy HarvestNo More SilenceFuture of HealthPlanHealth ChallengesMindful EatingSugar SavvyMove Your BodyGut HealthMood FoodsAlign Your SpineFind CarePrimary CareMental HealthOB-GYNDermatologistsNeurologistsCardiologistsOrthopedistsLifestyle QuizzesWeight ManagementAm I Depressed? A Quiz for TeensAre You a Workaholic?How Well Do You Sleep?Tools & ResourcesHealth NewsFind a DietFind Healthy SnacksDrugs A-ZHealth A-ZConnectFind Your Bezzy CommunityBreast CancerInflammatory Bowel DiseasePsoriatic ArthritisMigraineMultiple SclerosisPsoriasisFollow us on social mediaShopProducts by ConditionInsomniaStress ReliefBack PainNeck PainSleep ApneaHot SleepersAllergiesPain ReliefProduct ReviewsVitamins & SupplementsSleepMental HealthNutritionAt-Home TestingCBDMen’s HealthWomen’s HealthHealth ConditionsDiscoverPlanConnectShopSubscribe
journals.lww.com/prsgo/Fulltext/2022/05000/Surgical_Treatment_Outcome_of_de_Quervain_s.3.aspxCheimonidou AZ, et al. (2019). Validity and reliability of the Finkelstein test.
oatext.com/pdf/TiM-19-183.pdfDe Quervain's tenosynovitis. (2022).
orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/de-quervains-tendinosisDharmshaktu GS, et al. (2020). "Selfie test": The proposal of a new clinical test for diagnosing De Quervain's tenosynovitis at primary care level.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7346960/Ippolito JA, et al. (2020). Nonsurgical treatment of de Quervain tenosynovitis: A prospective randomized trial.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7076607/Omoke NI, et al. (2019). Clinical outcome of nonoperative treatment of de Quervain's disease with local corticosteroid injection in Nigerian setting.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6771191/Satteson E, et al. (2022). De Quervain tenosynovitis.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK442005/Som A, et al. (2021). Finkelstein sign.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539768/Wu F, et al. (2018). Finkelstein's test is superior to Eichhoff's test in the investigation of de Quervain's disease.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6103758/Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Current Version Sep 21, 2022 By Daniel Yetman Edited By A. L. Heywood Medically Reviewed By Meredith Goodwin M.D., FAAFP Copy Edited By Angela Coffey Share this articleMedically reviewed by Meredith Goodwin, MD, FAAFP — By Daniel Yetman on September 21, 2022
Finkelstein Test for de Quervain s Tenosynovitis
Medically reviewed by Meredith Goodwin, MD, FAAFP — By Daniel Yetman on September 21, 2022The Finkelstein test, also called the Finkelstein sign or maneuver, is used to diagnose de Quervain’s tenosynovitis. This is a common condition characterized by swelling and pain in two of the tendons in your wrist that attach to the base of your thumb. Experts estimate it affects about 1.3% of women and 0.5% of men. Doctors, physiotherapists, and other trained professionals use the Finkelstein test to differentiate de Quervain’s tenosynovitis from other wrist conditions. The practitioner performs the test in three stages, moving your hand into certain positions. Pain in these positions is a sign that you have de Quervain’s tenosynovitis. Read on to learn more about how medical professionals perform the Finkelstein test and why they use it.What is de Quervain s tenosynovitis
If you open your hand as wide as you can, you may see a triangular indent at the base of your thumb. This space is nicknamed the anatomical snuffbox. De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is swelling of the two tendons at the bottom of this area called abductor pollicis brevis and extensor pollicis brevis. Women are about four times more likely than men to develop de Quervain’s tenosynovitis. It’s also more likely in people ages 40 and over and common in individuals who perform repetitive motions that place stress on their wrists, like restaurant servers, according to 2021 research.Why use the Finkelstein test
According to a 2021 article, Dr. Harry Finkelstein first described this test in 1930. It’s a simple maneuver trained professionals use to diagnose de Quervain’s tenosynovitis. Pain during the test can help rule out other conditions that can cause similar symptoms. Research from 2018 suggests that it’s more accurate than another test used to diagnose de Quervain’s tenosynovitis, known as Eichhoff’s test.How is the Finkelstein test performed
Medical professionals usually perform the Finkelstein test in three stages with increasing levels of pressure.Stage 1
The practitioner will instruct you to move your arm so that your wrist is at the end of the treatment table and your thumb is facing up. You’ll perform all three stages of the test from this position. In this stage, the practitioner will ask you to relax your forehand. If you have severe inflammation, you might feel pain in this position.Stage 2
If stage 1 doesn’t cause pain, the practitioner will apply gentle downward pressure to your hand to assess whether you experience pain.Stage 3
If you don’t experience pain in the first two stages, your practitioner will perform the original version of the test. They will grasp your thumb and flex it into the palm of your hand and ask if you feel pain.What does a positive Finkelstein test mean
The test is positive if you feel pain at the radial styloid during any stage of the test. The radial styloid is just above the base of your thumb at the outer end of your radius. The radius is the forearm bone closest to your thumb. A positive test suggests that you have de Quervain’s tenosynovitis. A negative test suggests you don’t.Finkelstein test vs Eichhoff s test
Many health professionals, textbooks, and journals confuse the Finkelstein test with another test called Eichhoff’s test. Experts consider the Finkelstein test to be superior. Eichhoff’s test can cause pain in surrounding tissues and lead to more false positives. A false positive is when the test incorrectly suggests you have the condition. During Eichhoff’s test:The test practitioner will position your hand at the end of the table in the same way as in the Finkelstein test.They will then ask you to make a fist with your fingers wrapped around your thumb.They will stabilize your wrist and apply a gentle force downward to the top of your hand to see if you feel pain. In a 2020 letter to the editor, one researcher suggested that the “selfie test,” or adopting the position of taking a selfie photo, may also help diagnose de Quervain’s tenosynovitis. Medical literature has yet to validate this test.How is de Quervain s tenosynovitis treated
De Quervain’s tenosynovitis often goes away when you stop activities that caused it. For example, it may subside in new parents who are breastfeeding or chestfeeding once they stop lifting their child as frequently. If pain is persistent, your doctor might recommend:anti-inflammatory medicationssplintingcorticosteroid injections Corticosteroid injections often provide complete relief after one or two injections. In a 2019 study, researchers found a short- and long-term success rate of over 90%. In a 2020 study, researchers found that immobilization following injection didn’t improve outcomes. If the above options are not effective, a doctor may recommend surgery. A 2022 review found that surgical release of the tendon sheaths eliminated pain in 95% of people.Frequently asked questions
Here are some common questions people have about the Finkelstein test.Is the Finkelstein test accurate
Experts consider the Finkelstein test more accurate than Eichhoff’s test. More large studies are needed to assess its accuracy. In a small 2019 study, researchers found false positives in 46.7% of cases of Finkelstein tests and 53.3% of cases of Eichhoff’s tests.Can I perform the Finkelstein test on my own
Only a trained medical professional should perform the Finkelstein test to get accurate results. If your wrist isn’t at the proper angle, the test can involve other structures and cause a false positive.Will I need an X-ray to diagnose de Quervain s tenosynovitis
A medical professional can usually diagnose de Quervain’s tenosynovitis based on your symptoms and the results of a Finkelstein test. Imaging, such as X-rays, can help rule out other causes like arthritis.Is de Quervain s tenosynovitis a type of carpal tunnel syndrome
De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is inflammation of the tendons in the wrist that connect to the base of your thumb. It isn’t a form of carpal tunnel syndrome, which is compression of the median nerve in the front of your wrist.Takeaway
Medical professionals use the Finkelstein test to diagnose a common condition that causes wrist pain called de Quervain’s tenosynovitis. Practitioners perform the test by applying pressure to the side of your wrist to check for pain. If the test suggests you have de Quervain’s tenosynovitis, your doctor may recommend treatments like a splint, anti-inflammatories, or corticosteroid injections. These treatments are generally very effective at managing pain. Last medically reviewed on September 21, 2022How we vetted this article
SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Bosman R, et al. (2022). Surgical treatment outcome of de Quervain's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.journals.lww.com/prsgo/Fulltext/2022/05000/Surgical_Treatment_Outcome_of_de_Quervain_s.3.aspxCheimonidou AZ, et al. (2019). Validity and reliability of the Finkelstein test.
oatext.com/pdf/TiM-19-183.pdfDe Quervain's tenosynovitis. (2022).
orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/de-quervains-tendinosisDharmshaktu GS, et al. (2020). "Selfie test": The proposal of a new clinical test for diagnosing De Quervain's tenosynovitis at primary care level.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7346960/Ippolito JA, et al. (2020). Nonsurgical treatment of de Quervain tenosynovitis: A prospective randomized trial.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7076607/Omoke NI, et al. (2019). Clinical outcome of nonoperative treatment of de Quervain's disease with local corticosteroid injection in Nigerian setting.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6771191/Satteson E, et al. (2022). De Quervain tenosynovitis.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK442005/Som A, et al. (2021). Finkelstein sign.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539768/Wu F, et al. (2018). Finkelstein's test is superior to Eichhoff's test in the investigation of de Quervain's disease.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6103758/Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Current Version Sep 21, 2022 By Daniel Yetman Edited By A. L. Heywood Medically Reviewed By Meredith Goodwin M.D., FAAFP Copy Edited By Angela Coffey Share this articleMedically reviewed by Meredith Goodwin, MD, FAAFP — By Daniel Yetman on September 21, 2022