Finkelstein Test

The Finkelstein Test is a simple physical exam used to help diagnose De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, which is inflammation of the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist. To perform it, the healthcare provider asks you to make a fist with your thumb tucked inside your fingers, then gently move your wrist toward your little finger. If this movement causes pain near the base of your thumb, it suggests inflammation of the involved tendons. This test helps clinicians identify the presence of this specific tendinitis and guide appropriate treatment.