Common musculoskeletal tests
(wrist, pelvis, hip, knee, ankle)
Wrist and hand
Finkelstein test
Tests: tenosynovitis of abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis
brevis tendons (de Quervain’s tenosynovitis).
Procedure: patient makes a fist with thumb inside. Passively move wrist
into ulnar deviation.
Positive sign: reproduction of symptoms.
Froment’s sign
Tests : ulnar nerve paralysis.
Procedure: grip piece of paper between index finger and thumb. Pull
paper away.
Positive sign: flexion of IP thumb joint as paper pulled away.
Ligamentous instability test for the fingers
Tests : stability of collateral ligaments.
Procedure: apply valgus and varus force to PIP or DIP joint.
Positive sign: increased laxity.
Linburg’s sign
Tests: tendon pathology at interconnection between flexor pollicis
longus and flexor indicis.
Procedure: thumb flexion onto hypothenar eminence and index finger
extension.
Positive sign: limited extension and reproduction of symptoms.
, Lunotriquetral ballottement (Reagan’s) test
Tests : stability of lunotriquetral ligament.
Procedure: stabilize lunate and apply posterior and anterior
glide to triquetrum and pisiform.
Positive sign: reproduction of symptoms, crepitus or laxity.
Phalen’s (wrist flexion) test
Tests : median nerve pathology; carpal tunnel syndrome.
Procedure: place dorsal aspect of hands together with wrists flexed.
Hold for 1 minute.
Positive sign: tingling in distribution of median nerve.
Reverse Phalen’s test
Tests : median nerve pathology.
Procedure: place palms of hands together with wrists extended. Hold for
1 minute.
Positive sign: tingling in distribution of median nerve.
Sweater finger sign
Tests : rupture of flexor digitorum profundus tendon.
Procedure: patient makes a fist.
Positive sign: loss of DIP joint flexion of one of the fingers.
Tinel’s sign (at the wrist)
Tests : median nerve pathology; carpal tunnel syndrome.
Procedure: tap over carpal tunnel.
Positive sign: tingling or paraesthesia in median distribution in hand.
Triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) load test
Tests : triangular fibrocartilage complex integrity.
Procedure: hold forearm. With other hand hold wrist in ulnar deviation
then move it through supination and pronation while applying a
(wrist, pelvis, hip, knee, ankle)
Wrist and hand
Finkelstein test
Tests: tenosynovitis of abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis
brevis tendons (de Quervain’s tenosynovitis).
Procedure: patient makes a fist with thumb inside. Passively move wrist
into ulnar deviation.
Positive sign: reproduction of symptoms.
Froment’s sign
Tests : ulnar nerve paralysis.
Procedure: grip piece of paper between index finger and thumb. Pull
paper away.
Positive sign: flexion of IP thumb joint as paper pulled away.
Ligamentous instability test for the fingers
Tests : stability of collateral ligaments.
Procedure: apply valgus and varus force to PIP or DIP joint.
Positive sign: increased laxity.
Linburg’s sign
Tests: tendon pathology at interconnection between flexor pollicis
longus and flexor indicis.
Procedure: thumb flexion onto hypothenar eminence and index finger
extension.
Positive sign: limited extension and reproduction of symptoms.
, Lunotriquetral ballottement (Reagan’s) test
Tests : stability of lunotriquetral ligament.
Procedure: stabilize lunate and apply posterior and anterior
glide to triquetrum and pisiform.
Positive sign: reproduction of symptoms, crepitus or laxity.
Phalen’s (wrist flexion) test
Tests : median nerve pathology; carpal tunnel syndrome.
Procedure: place dorsal aspect of hands together with wrists flexed.
Hold for 1 minute.
Positive sign: tingling in distribution of median nerve.
Reverse Phalen’s test
Tests : median nerve pathology.
Procedure: place palms of hands together with wrists extended. Hold for
1 minute.
Positive sign: tingling in distribution of median nerve.
Sweater finger sign
Tests : rupture of flexor digitorum profundus tendon.
Procedure: patient makes a fist.
Positive sign: loss of DIP joint flexion of one of the fingers.
Tinel’s sign (at the wrist)
Tests : median nerve pathology; carpal tunnel syndrome.
Procedure: tap over carpal tunnel.
Positive sign: tingling or paraesthesia in median distribution in hand.
Triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) load test
Tests : triangular fibrocartilage complex integrity.
Procedure: hold forearm. With other hand hold wrist in ulnar deviation
then move it through supination and pronation while applying a
