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.
• Special 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.