Which test is used to confirm de Quervain's tenosynovitis?

The Finkelstein test is used specifically to confirm de Quervain's tenosynovitis. This test involves making a fist with the thumb tucked inside the fingers and then ulnar deviating the wrist. If this movement causes pain along the radial side of the wrist, particularly over the first dorsal compartment where the affected tendons (abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis) are located, it indicates the presence of de Quervain's tenosynovitis.

This condition is characterized by inflammation of the tendons and their sheaths, resulting in pain and limited mobility of the thumb. The Finkelstein test effectively reproduces the symptoms associated with this condition, making it a reliable assessment tool in clinical settings.

In contrast, the other tests listed serve different purposes. The Valgus test is primarily utilized to evaluate injuries to the ulnar collateral ligament of the elbow. The Phalen test is used to assess for carpal tunnel syndrome by reproducing median nerve symptoms in the wrist. The Klein test is less commonly referenced and does not have a direct association with tendinopathy of the wrist. Thus, the Finkelstein test stands out as the confirmatory test for de Querv