Phalen’s Test
Phalen’s Test is a clinical examination test used to diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome. The patient flexes both wrists and presses the backs of their hands together for 30-60 seconds. A positive test reproduces symptoms like tingling, numbness, or pain in the median nerve distribution, indicating possible median nerve compression at the wrist.
The Phalen’s test: What is it?
To diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome, medical professionals use the Phalen’s test, which consists of a series of hand and wrist motions and postures. It may be known as the Phalen’s maneuver or Phalen’s sign. These terms are used interchangeably by Doctors.
Since it’s an in-office physical, a physician can conduct it without the need for a separate appointment or additional equipment. To apply mild pressure on the median nerve in your wrist, your healthcare provider will ask you to hold your hands and wrists in various postures. If you experience tingling or numbness during any of these movements, it’s usually a sign of carpal tunnel syndrome.
A diagnostic imaging procedure can be necessary to identify inflammation inside your wrist or to evaluate whether you have carpal tunnel syndrome.
When is the Phalen’s test required?:
If a healthcare professional believes you have carpal tunnel syndrome, you may need to do the Phalen’s test. As part of your physical examination, a doctor may ask you to do a Phalen’s test if you experience wrist pain or other hand and finger problems.
One of the most prevalent disorders affecting people’s hands and wrists is carpal tunnel syndrome. Your wrist’s bones form the carpal tunnel, which allows tendons, ligaments, and nerves to go through it and reach the rest of your hand. When the median nerve that passes through your carpal tunnel is irritated or under excessive pressure, carpal tunnel syndrome results.
How is the Phalen’s test taken?
Your carpal tunnel is lightly compressed by the various positions used in the Phalen’s test. If you experience any pain or discomfort during the Phalen’s test, let your healthcare professional know.
The following hand and wrist positions are part of the easy test:
- The back of your hands, or the dorsal side, should be placed together at waist height.
- Raise your arms until your elbows are roughly at chest level while keeping your hands in that posture.
- You will be asked to maintain that posture for around one minute by your provider.
- If you experience any tingling in your fingers or down the sides of your hand, they will inquire.
What is a reverse Phalen’s test?
The Phalen’s test and the reverse Phalen’s test are extremely similar. A separate set of hand positions and motions is used to check for carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms. During your examination, your physical therapist may ask you to complete one or both of the tests.
To conduct a reverse Phalen’s test, follow these steps:
- Holding your hands at chest height, you will place your elbows out from the center of your body and your palms together. Imagine the hand positions that some people maintain during prayer.
- Lower your hands toward your stomach while maintaining your elbows.
- For about a minute, your healthcare practitioner will ask you to keep your hands close to your belly button.
What is the Phalen’s test likely to involve?
As long as your provider requests it, try to follow the movements and maintain the postures. If you have carpal tunnel syndrome, you may have some tingling or discomfort but not severe pain.
FAQs
What is a Phalen sign that is positive?
When flexing the wrist to 90 degrees for one minute causes symptoms in the median nerve distribution, the Phalen’s procedure is beneficial. When tapping over the carpal tunnel causes symptoms in the median nerve distribution, Tinel’s sign is positive.
What separates Phalen’s from Reverse Phalen’s?
The way your hands are positioned makes a difference. You will push the palms of your hands together with your fingers pointing upward toward the ceiling, as opposed to flexing your wrists with your fingers pointing downward.
Phalen’s test: When would you utilize it?
One stimulating test for diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the Phalen’s test.
What does a typical Phalen test look like?
The Phalen’s test is typically conducted while standing or sitting. A passively flexed arm is placed on a table by the patient, enabling the wrists to reach their maximum flexion. The patient is then instructed by the physician to press the dorsal hand surfaces together, maintaining this position for 30 to 60 seconds.
Reference:
- Professional, C. C. M. (2025a, January 24). Phalen’s Test. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/25133-phalens-test
- Cherney, K. (2024, May 29). What is the Phalen’s maneuver for Carpal tunnel Syndrome? Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/phalens-maneuver#where-its-done
