MURPHY'S SIGN

​TEST POSITIONING

The client may sit or stand.

The therapist stands in front of the subject.

ACTION

The client is instructed to make a fist.

The therapist notes the position of the third metacarpal.

POSITIVE FINDING

If the client's third metacarpal is level with the second and fourth metacarpals, a dislocated lunate is indicated.

CONSIDERATIONS & COMMENTS

With normal anatomical alignment, the position of the lunate makes the third metacarpal appear longer than the others when a fist is made.

Thus, altering the position of the lunate in an anterior or posterior direction will allow for the third metacarpal to slide more proximally.