TINEL'S SIGN 

(WRIST AND HAND)

​​• Test positioning

The client sits next to a flat surface.

​• Action

The therapist taps the volar aspect of the client's wrist over the area of the carpal tunnel.

​• Positive finding

Complaints of tingling, paresthesia, or pain by the client in the area of the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and radial one-half of the ring finger signal a positive test.

This may be indicative of a compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel, or carpal tunnel syndrome.

​• Special considerations & comments

A positive Tinel's sign at the wrist may appear if the median nerve is disrupted at any point of its path.

Therefore, a positive finding should warrant the therapist to assess the integrity of the median nerve at the elbow, shoulder, and neck to rule out other pathologies.