Which set of tests is commonly used in carpal tunnel syndrome evaluation?

Which set of tests is commonly used in carpal tunnel syndrome evaluation?

• A. Katz hand diagram, Phalen test, Tinel sign, and carpal compression test
• B. McMurray test and Lachman drawer
• C. O'Connell test and phrenic nerve stimulation
• D. Finkelstein test and Heberden's nodes

Answer: (A)

Carpal tunnel syndrome evaluation focuses on provoking and mapping median nerve symptoms at the wrist. Phalen’s maneuver places the wrists in flexion to briefly compress the median nerve, often reproducing numbness or tingling in the thumb, index, middle, and part of the ring finger. Tinel’s sign taps over the carpal tunnel and can elicit paresthesias along the median nerve distribution. The carpal compression test applies direct pressure over the carpal tunnel to provoke symptoms. The Katz hand diagram helps chart where symptoms occur and how they affect hand function, clarifying the pattern of CTS symptoms versus other hand issues. Together, these tests specifically assess median nerve impairment at the wrist and are commonly used in CTS evaluation. The other sets do not target the median nerve at the carpal tunnel and are used for different conditions (knee injuries; De Quervain’s tenosynovitis; OA).

Carpal tunnel syndrome evaluation focuses on provoking and mapping median nerve symptoms at the wrist. Phalen’s maneuver places the wrists in flexion to briefly compress the median nerve, often reproducing numbness or tingling in the thumb, index, middle, and part of the ring finger. Tinel’s sign taps over the carpal tunnel and can elicit paresthesias along the median nerve distribution. The carpal compression test applies direct pressure over the carpal tunnel to provoke symptoms. The Katz hand diagram helps chart where symptoms occur and how they affect hand function, clarifying the pattern of CTS symptoms versus other hand issues. Together, these tests specifically assess median nerve impairment at the wrist and are commonly used in CTS evaluation. The other sets do not target the median nerve at the carpal tunnel and are used for different conditions (knee injuries; De Quervain’s tenosynovitis; OA).