Helping Hands Heal since 2005
From Dr. Z - Carpal tunnel syndrome specialist
You can do this simple carpal tunnel test on yourself. It will tell if you have carpal tunnel syndrome. If it's not carpal tunnel, it can tell if you have wrist flexor tendonitis. This is the same test your doctor would give you in their office.
The symptoms and warning signs of carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis are almost identical. They include finger or hand numbness, pain, tingling, burning, soreness and weakness.
The following carpal tunnel test is easy to do and only takes minutes. Moreover, it can help you identify if you have carpal tunnel or tendonitis so you can begin treatment immediately.
The conditions known as carpal tunnel syndrome and wrist flexor tendonitis share symptoms. But they're different disorders.
Wrist tendonitis is a kind of Repetitive Stress Injury. That means that overworking your hands and fingers causes the problem. Tendonitis is also relatively easy to treat, The best remedy for tendonitis is simple rest. After a few weeks of not stressing your hand, the tendonitis goes away.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is different. Think of it as a real disease like diabetes or arthritis. You can go your whole life and not know you have carpal tunnel syndrome because symptoms may never appear.
It's also a hereditary condition. That means a family history of carpal tunnel will best predict if you get it or not.
Another factor that can predict if you get it is if you perform regular, repetitive motions of your hand and fingers. This is a key difference between carpal tunnel and tendonitis. With carpal tunnel, repetitive stress doesn't "cause" the condition, it just makes it appear if you already have it.
You are at high risk of getting carpal tunnel syndrome if you have:
If you're a woman, you are at least 3 times more likely to get it. You're at especially high risk if you are:
This carpal tunnel test consists of 3 parts. These are called "provocative tests" because they intend to "provoke" your symptoms. That means they will temporarily make symptoms worse - but only for the few seconds of the test. Each part is a separate test by itself.
Doctors use these tests in their office to tell if you have carpal tunnel syndrome or tendonitis. If fact, studies show they're more reliable than any other test you can have, including EMG tests.
You're POSITIVE for carpal tunnel if you answer "YES" to the First, Second or Third test below.
Doctors call this the Phalen maneuver.
Straighten out your fingers. While they're straight, bend them toward your wrist as far as you can. Use your other hand to help. This must be a sharp "L" shaped bend in yoru wrist. Hold the position for 60 seconds.
Do you feel your pain, numbness or tingling worsen?
If "YES" then you're positive for carpal tunnel syndrome.
Doctors call this the Tinel test.
Most doctors say this is the most sensitive carpal tunnel test. Keep you hand straight. Now tap the skin over your wrist-crease. Tap sharply, and left to right, then back again. Repeat this for 10-20 seconds.
Do you feel your pain, numbness or tingling worsen?
If "YES" then you're positive for carpal tunnel syndrome.
Doctors call this the Durkan test.
Keep your hand straight. With your opposite thumb, push firmly into your hand in the location shown in the picture. That's the area located between the 2 large bumps in your palm. Push down hard for 30 seconds.
Do you feel your pain, numbness or tingling worsen?
If "YES" then you're positive for carpal tunnel syndrome.
Did you answer "NO" to all of the above questions? If so, the carpal tunnel test shows you might have wrist tendonitis.
Then try the following "Wrist Tendonitis Test".
You're POSITIVE for wrist tendonitis if you answer "YES" to the following test question.
Doctors call this a Percussion test.
Use your opposite forefinger and tap your flexor tendons. They're located on your forearm, just below your wrist. The tendons feel like ropes under your skin. Tap each tendon all along its length. Tap from your wrist to half way up your arm. Also tap quickly left and right, up and down your forearm.
Do you feel your pain, numbness or tingling worsen?
If "YES" then you're positive for wrist flexor tendonitis.
By themselves, each carpal tunnel test above is quite accurate in detecting this condition. When all 3 are positive, you can bet you have carpal tunnel syndrome. The tests also distinguish between carpal tunnel and wrist tendonitis.
If your carpal tunnel test indicates you have either carpal tunnel syndrome or wrist tendonitis, your next step should be to seek treatment. Both conditions are treated effectively using rest, night bracing, stretching exercises, and myofascial release massage therapy .
Wrist tendonitis is easier to treat, usually requiring only simple rest. Carpal tunnel syndrome is harder to treat in the mild stage. But if it's in the severe stage, it's much more challenging to treat effectively.
