A positive Finkelstein's test is most consistent with which condition?

A positive Finkelstein's test is most consistent with which condition?

• A. De Quervain's tenosynovitis
• B. Lateral epicondylitis
• C. Trigger finger
• D. Wrist ganglion

Answer: (A)

Finkelstein's test targets stenosing tenosynovitis of the first dorsal (thumb) compartment, namely De Quervain's tenosynovitis. During the test, the thumb is tucked into a fist and the wrist is moved into ulnar deviation while the forearm is stabilized. Reproduction of sharp pain over the radial styloid indicates a positive result, reflecting inflammation of the abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis tendons as they pass through the tight sheath. This is exactly what De Quervain's disrupts. Lateral epicondylitis would show pain at the elbow with resisted wrist or finger extension, not focal radial wrist pain from the first dorsal compartment. Trigger finger causes finger locking or catching due to flexor pulley stenosis, not a radial wrist pain pattern. A wrist ganglion typically presents as a palpable mass with variable discomfort, not a reproducible radial wrist pain on this maneuver.

Finkelstein's test targets stenosing tenosynovitis of the first dorsal (thumb) compartment, namely De Quervain's tenosynovitis. During the test, the thumb is tucked into a fist and the wrist is moved into ulnar deviation while the forearm is stabilized. Reproduction of sharp pain over the radial styloid indicates a positive result, reflecting inflammation of the abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis tendons as they pass through the tight sheath. This is exactly what De Quervain's disrupts.

Lateral epicondylitis would show pain at the elbow with resisted wrist or finger extension, not focal radial wrist pain from the first dorsal compartment. Trigger finger causes finger locking or catching due to flexor pulley stenosis, not a radial wrist pain pattern. A wrist ganglion typically presents as a palpable mass with variable discomfort, not a reproducible radial wrist pain on this maneuver.