Which test is most useful for diagnosing DeQuervain's tenosynovitis?

• A. Stability test
• B. Finkelstein's test
• C. Phalen's maneuver
• D. Tinel's test

Answer: (B)

Finkelstein's test is specifically designed to assess for DeQuervain's tenosynovitis, a condition characterized by inflammation of the tendons in the first dorsal compartment of the wrist. To perform this test, a patient is asked to grasp their thumb and make a fist with the fingers wrapped around it. As the patient then deviates their wrist toward the ulnar side, pain over the radial side of the wrist is considered a positive sign indicative of DeQuervain's tenosynovitis.

Identification of this pain is crucial for diagnosis, as it provides insight into the condition affecting the abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis tendons. This test's specificity to DeQuervain's distinguishes it from other tests, making it the most useful option for diagnosing this particular condition.

In contrast, other tests such as the stability test, Phalen’s maneuver, and Tinel’s test are utilized to evaluate different conditions, including carpal tunnel syndrome and various joint instabilities, rather than targeting the specific pathology of DeQuervain's tenosynovitis. Thus, while these tests serve important roles in orthopedic evaluation, they do not facilitate the diagnosis of DeQuerv