Patient Position
Phalen's Test
- Seated (or standing)
- Arms abducted, elbows flexed, forearms pronated, and the wrists fully flexed
Procedure Steps
- Patient is instructed to put the back of both hands together and place them in front of the their chest.
- Hold the position for 30-60 seconds (or until symptoms appear)
Positive Sign / Significance
- Reproduction of median nerve symptoms (pain, paresthesias) into the hand in the median nerve distribution = Carpal tunnel syndrome
