Which test or symptom would be positive for DeQuervain's tenosynovitis?

Which test or symptom would be positive for DeQuervain's tenosynovitis?

• A. Finkelstein
• B. Snuffbox tenderness
• C. Pain between 10 and 60 degrees of the Straight Leg Raise
• D. Painful upon wakening

Answer: (A)

The Finkelstein test is specifically designed to assess for DeQuervain's tenosynovitis, which is a condition affecting the extensor tendons of the thumb. During this test, the patient is asked to make a fist with the thumb tucked inside the fingers and then ulnarly deviate the wrist. A positive Finkelstein test is indicated by pain over the radial side of the wrist, which correlates with inflammation of the tendons in that area. This test effectively identifies the hallmark symptoms associated with DeQuervain's tenosynovitis. In contrast, while snuffbox tenderness can indicate various wrist injuries or issues, particularly those related to the scaphoid bone, it does not specifically diagnose DeQuervain's tenosynovitis. Pain between 10 and 60 degrees of the Straight Leg Raise is unrelated, as this maneuver pertains to testing for lower back and neurological issues, not wrist conditions. Finally, waking up with pain might suggest other musculoskeletal conditions but lacks the specificity required to diagnose DeQuervain's tenosynovitis directly. Thus, the Finkelstein test is the most pertinent for diagnosing this particular condition.

The Finkelstein test is specifically designed to assess for DeQuervain's tenosynovitis, which is a condition affecting the extensor tendons of the thumb. During this test, the patient is asked to make a fist with the thumb tucked inside the fingers and then ulnarly deviate the wrist. A positive Finkelstein test is indicated by pain over the radial side of the wrist, which correlates with inflammation of the tendons in that area. This test effectively identifies the hallmark symptoms associated with DeQuervain's tenosynovitis.

In contrast, while snuffbox tenderness can indicate various wrist injuries or issues, particularly those related to the scaphoid bone, it does not specifically diagnose DeQuervain's tenosynovitis. Pain between 10 and 60 degrees of the Straight Leg Raise is unrelated, as this maneuver pertains to testing for lower back and neurological issues, not wrist conditions. Finally, waking up with pain might suggest other musculoskeletal conditions but lacks the specificity required to diagnose DeQuervain's tenosynovitis directly. Thus, the Finkelstein test is the most pertinent for diagnosing this particular condition.