Phalen's test
Holding the wrists flexed with the backs of the hands together for about a minute and noting whether it reproduces tingling supports a diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Darker cells mean a higher score for this topic on that metric.
Pain frequency55
Recovery length30
Exercise load30
Clinician need45
Self-care fit65
Recurrence risk50
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Quick answers
What is carpal tunnel syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is compression of the median nerve as it passes through a narrow tunnel on the palm side of the wrist, producing numbness, tingling, and sometimes weakness in the thumb, index, and middle fingers.
What is De Quervain's tenosynovitis?
De Quervain's tenosynovitis is irritation of the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist, often associated with repetitive gripping or thumb use, and is a common cause of pain near the base of the thumb.
Does typing cause carpal tunnel syndrome?
Research on keyboard use as an isolated cause of carpal tunnel syndrome is mixed; wrist position, overall repetitive hand use, and individual anatomical factors are all thought to contribute.
Can wrist splints help with nerve compression?
Night-time wrist splinting in a neutral position is commonly recommended for mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome and is supported by several clinical guidelines as an early conservative measure.
What is trigger finger?
Trigger finger is a condition in which a finger tendon catches within its sheath, causing the finger to click, lock, or require extra effort to straighten after bending.
When does carpal tunnel syndrome need surgery?
Surgical release is typically considered when symptoms are severe, when there is measurable nerve damage on testing, or when conservative measures have not provided adequate relief.
Assessment of the wrist and hand typically combines a history of repetitive tasks or trauma with observation of swelling, deformity, and active range of motion.
Because nerve compression is common in this region, several tests specifically aim to reproduce or provoke nerve-related symptoms, alongside tests targeting specific tendons and ligaments.
Assessment tests
Tinel's sign at the wrist
Tapping over the median nerve at the wrist that reproduces tingling in the thumb, index, and middle fingers suggests nerve irritation at that level.
Finkelstein's test
Making a fist around the thumb and bending the wrist toward the little finger reproduces pain at the thumb side of the wrist in this condition.
Grip and pinch strength testing
Standardized dynamometer measurements of grip and pinch strength provide an objective baseline and a way to track progress over time.
Wrist ligament stress tests
Specific stress maneuvers applied to individual wrist ligaments help identify instability following a sprain or fall.
Warning signs
These warrant prompt clinical review rather than unsupervised exercise progression.
Deformity or inability to move after trauma
A visible deformity or an inability to move the wrist or fingers following a fall or direct injury raises concern for fracture and warrants urgent evaluation.
Progressive weakness or muscle wasting
Worsening weakness or visible loss of muscle bulk at the base of the thumb can indicate significant, longstanding nerve compression.
Signs of infection
Increasing redness, warmth, and swelling, particularly with fever, raise concern for infection in the hand and require prompt medical attention.
Sudden, complete loss of sensation
A sudden and complete loss of sensation in the hand, especially after trauma, should be evaluated urgently to rule out significant nerve or vascular injury.
This combination of provocative nerve tests, strength measures, and trauma screening allows clinicians to efficiently distinguish between the region's common nerve, tendon, and joint conditions.
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