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.

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.