Clinical test · Hand
Phalen's test
Reviewed by Dr. Ryan Rietz, D.P.T. and Dr. John Breyman, D.C.
A wrist test for carpal tunnel syndrome. Holding the wrists fully bent raises the pressure inside the carpal tunnel — the narrow passage at the base of the palm that the median nerve shares with the finger flexor tendons. If that nerve is already compressed, a minute in this position brings on the tingling and numbness the patient recognises.
Also known as
- phalen
- Phalen test
- Phalen's manoeuvre
- wrist flexion test