Durkan test

Durkan's test is a procedure to diagnose a patient with carpal tunnel syndrome. It is a new variation of Tinel's sign that was proposed by JA Durkan in 1991.[1]

Contents

Process

Examiner presses thumbs over carpal tunnel and holds pressure for 30 seconds.[2] An onset of pain or paresthesia in the median nerve distribution within 30 seconds is a positive result of the test.[1]

Accuracy

In studies of diagnostic accuracy, the sensitivity of Durkan's test ranged from 87% to 91% and its specificity from 90% to 95%.[2][3]

Comparison

Durkan's test is more sensitive than Tinel's sign and Phalen maneuver.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b Robert R. Slater, Jr; . M.D. (1999), Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Current Concepts, http://www.eatonhand.com/hw/ctsslater.htm, retrieved 2010-05-04 
  2. ^ a b Carpal Compression Test, 2008, http://www.fpnotebook.com/Ortho/Exam/CrplCmprsnTst.htm, retrieved 2010-05-04 
  3. ^ GonzÁlez Del Pino, J.; Delgado-martÍnez, A. D.; GonzÁlez GonzÁlez, I.; Lovic, A. (1997), "Value of the Carpal Compression Test in the Diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome", Journal of Hand Surgery (British and European Volume) 22 (1): 38–41, http://www.fpnotebook.com/Ortho/Exam/CrplCmprsnTst.htm, retrieved 2010-05-04 
  4. ^ Durkan, J.A. (1991), "A new diagnostic test for carpal tunnel syndrome", The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery 73 (4): 535–538, http://www.ejbjs.org/cgi/content/abstract/73/4/535, retrieved 2010-05-04