The Finkelstein test a diagnostic and physical examination technique which is used to test for and identify De Quervain’s tenosynovitis.
De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is pain that is caused by inflammation of the tendons on the thumb side of your wrist.
The Finkelstein test is performed by placing the thumb inside the fist, wrapping the fingers over it, and tilting the wrist towards your pinky finger.
The way that the Finkelstein test is done is, while the patient is standing or sitting, the patient makes a fist with their thumb that is tucked inside of their fingers.
The examiner or patient during the Finkelstein test tilts, their hand/wrist downward in an ulnar deviation, "moving the wrist toward the little finger".
The Finkelstein test is considered positive if this movement causes sharp, significant pain along the radial aspect of the wrist, where the tendons are inflamed.
The purpose of the Finkelstein test is to strain the tendons in the first dorsal compartment, specifically the abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis to confirm pain related to overuse or repetitive motion.
The Finkelstein test is described by Harry Finkelstein in 1930 to diagnose the specific wrist condition.
The Finkelstein test is actually also a more provocative version known as Eichoff's test, which can also often sometimes lead to false positives.
And a true Finkelstein test involves gently pulling on the thumb while also deviating the wrist, rather than merely making a fist and bending it, which is often less painful.
If you experience any severe wrist pain you should seek medical attention to have it checked out.