Phalen's maneuver is used to diagnose which condition?

• A. Carpal tunnel syndrome
• B. Trigger finger
• C. Osteoarthritis
• D. Cubital tunnel syndrome

Answer: (A)

Phalen's maneuver tests for median nerve compression in the carpal tunnel. When the wrists are flexed against each other, pressure inside the carpal tunnel rises, and if the median nerve is compromised there, paresthesias or numbness in its sensory distribution (thumb, index, middle, and the radial half of the ring finger) can be reproduced. This neurodynamic provocative test is characteristic of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Trigger finger involves catching or locking of a flexor tendon due to stenosing tenosynovitis at the A1 pulley, not a median nerve issue, so the test would not elicit nerve-related symptoms. Osteoarthritis presents with joint pain and stiffness rather than focal median nerve symptoms provoked by wrist postures. Cubital tunnel syndrome is compression of the ulnar nerve at the elbow, producing symptoms in the ulnar distribution and is tested with elbow-focused maneuvers, not wrist flexion.