Which test is used to diagnose DeQuervain's tenosynovitis?

• A. Finkelstein's Test
• B. Drawer sign
• C. Neer's test
• D. Palpable fissure

Answer: (A)

DeQuervain's tenosynovitis involves narrowing of the tendon sheath around the first dorsal wrist compartment (abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis). The test used to diagnose it is Finkelstein's maneuver: the patient tucks the thumb into the palm and the wrist is moved into ulnar deviation. This motion tightens and compresses the first dorsal compartment, reproducing pain at the radial-based wrist if inflammation is present. A positive result strongly supports this diagnosis because it directly stresses the involved tendons’ sheaths. The other tests evaluate different joints or problems (knee ligaments, shoulder impingement, or non-specific fissures) and don’t specifically test the first dorsal compartment.