Title: Bedside test for carpal tunnel syndrome<br/>Author: Brian Corwell<br/><a href='http://umem.org/profiles/faculty/294/'>[Click to email author]</a><hr/><p>
<strong>Hand elevation test </strong></p>
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We are all familiar with the classic provocative tests for carpal tunnel syndrome:</p>
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Tinnel’s sign, Phalen’s test, Median nerve compression test</p>
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Hand elevation has been known to reproduce the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.</p>
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This phenomenon prompted the idea of developing a simple hand elevation office test to diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome.</p>
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To perform: Ask the patient to elevate both arms in the air for one minute.</p>
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Hands are raised actively and without strain, keeping the elbows and shoulders relatively loose.</p>
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A positive test reproduces symptoms of CTS.</p>
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The hand elevation test has a high sensitivity (75-86%) and specificity (89-98.5%) and may be comparable to or better than other provocative tests.</p>
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