Tinel’s Test: Difference between revisions

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== Purpose  ==
== Purpose  ==


Tinel's test is used to test for compression neuropathy, commonly in diagnosing [[Carpal Tunnel Syndrome|carpal tunnel syndrome]].<ref>Davis EN, Chung KC. [https://cdn.journals.lww.com/plasreconsurg/Fulltext/2004/08000/The_Tinel_Sign__A_Historical_Perspective.31.aspx The Tinel sign: a historical perspective.] Plastic and reconstructive surgery. 2004 Aug 1;114(2):494-9.</ref>
Tinel's test is used to test for compression neuropathy, commonly in diagnosing [[Carpal Tunnel Syndrome|carpal tunnel syndrome]].<ref name=":1">Davis EN, Chung KC. [https://cdn.journals.lww.com/plasreconsurg/Fulltext/2004/08000/The_Tinel_Sign__A_Historical_Perspective.31.aspx The Tinel sign: a historical perspective.] Plastic and reconstructive surgery. 2004 Aug 1;114(2):494-9.</ref>


== Technique  ==
== Technique  ==


It is performed by lightly tapping (percussing) over the nerve to elicit a sensation of tingling or "pins and needles" in the distribution of the nerve. It takes its name from French neurologist Jules Tinel (1879-1952).<ref>Tinel, J., Nerve wounds. London: Baillère, Tindall and Cox, 1917</ref><ref>Tinel, J. (1915) Le signe du fourmillement dans les lésions des nerfs périphériques. Presse médicale, 47, 388-389 </ref><ref>Tinel, J. (1978) The "tingling sign" in peripheral nerve lesions (Translated by EB Kaplan). In: M. Spinner M (Ed.), Injuries to the Major Branches of Peripheral Nerves of the Forearm. (2nd ed.) (pp 8-13). Philadelphia: WD Saunders Co</ref>  The test is positive when there is pressure neuropathy of the nerve, like in the foot or ankle, or in the hand. When the nerve is not trapt behind a structure there will be a negative test and the patient will feel no pain. On the opposite when the nerve is trapt the patient will feel tingling’s in the distal area.<ref name=":0">Dellon AL. | The four medial ankle tunnels: a critical review of perceptions of tarsal tunnel syndrome and neuropathy. | Neurosurg Clin N Am. | 2008 Oct;19(4):629-48, vii</ref><br>When the nerve is trapt in the tarsal tunnel the sign can be called by tapping whit a reflex hammer just behind the medial malleolus.<ref name=":0" /><br>  
It is performed by lightly tapping (percussing) over the nerve to elicit a sensation of tingling or "pins and needles" in the distribution of the nerve.<ref>Tinel J, Kaplan EB. [https://litfl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Tinel-1915-The-22tingling22-sign-in-peripheral-nerve-lesions.pdf The “tingling” sign in peripheral nerve lesions.] Injuries to the major branches of peripheral nerves of the forearm. 1978:8.</ref>  The Tinel sign is the tingling or prickling sensation elicited by the percussion of an injured nerve trunk at or distal to the site of the lesion. The sign also indicates nerve regeneration.<ref name=":1" />
 
'''Positive test:''' The test is positive when a tingling  or prickling sensation is felt in the distribution of the nerve.
 
'''Negative test''': The patient feels no pain. <br>  


<clinicallyrelevant id="84104175" title="Tinel's Sign at the Wrist" />
<clinicallyrelevant id="84104175" title="Tinel's Sign at the Wrist" />
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== Evidence  ==
== Evidence  ==


The tinel’s test is a specific test for the carpal tunnel syndrome and can be used as indication for medical management.<ref>Clinical diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome: old tests-new concepts. El Miedany Y, Ashour S, Youssef S, Mehanna A, Meky FA. Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt</ref><br>It is concluded that it is difficult to identify patients with tibial nerve compression at the ankle or foot region reliably with traditional electrodiagnostic techniques, even in the absence of neuropathy, and that the presence of a positive "Tinel" sign over the tibial nerve in the tarsal tunnel can identify this as a site of chronic nerve compression.<ref name=":0" />
The tinel’s test is a specific test for the carpal tunnel syndrome and can be used as indication for medical management.<ref>Clinical diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome: old tests-new concepts. El Miedany Y, Ashour S, Youssef S, Mehanna A, Meky FA. Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt</ref><br>It is concluded that it is difficult to identify patients with tibial nerve compression at the ankle or foot region reliably with traditional electrodiagnostic techniques, even in the absence of neuropathy, and that the presence of a positive "Tinel" sign over the tibial nerve in the tarsal tunnel can identify this as a site of chronic nerve compression.<ref name=":0">Dellon AL. | The four medial ankle tunnels: a critical review of perceptions of tarsal tunnel syndrome and neuropathy. | Neurosurg Clin N Am. | 2008 Oct;19(4):629-48, vii</ref>


== References  ==
== References  ==

Revision as of 00:33, 21 May 2021

This article is currently under review and may not be up to date. Please come back soon to see the finished work! (21/05/2021)

Purpose[edit | edit source]

Tinel's test is used to test for compression neuropathy, commonly in diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome.[1]

Technique[edit | edit source]

It is performed by lightly tapping (percussing) over the nerve to elicit a sensation of tingling or "pins and needles" in the distribution of the nerve.[2] The Tinel sign is the tingling or prickling sensation elicited by the percussion of an injured nerve trunk at or distal to the site of the lesion. The sign also indicates nerve regeneration.[1]

Positive test: The test is positive when a tingling or prickling sensation is felt in the distribution of the nerve.

Negative test: The patient feels no pain.

Tinel's Sign at the Wrist video provided by Clinically Relevant

Tinel's Sign at the Elbow video provided by Clinically Relevant

Tinel's Sign for Brachial Plexus video provided by Clinically Relevant

Evidence[edit | edit source]

The tinel’s test is a specific test for the carpal tunnel syndrome and can be used as indication for medical management.[3]
It is concluded that it is difficult to identify patients with tibial nerve compression at the ankle or foot region reliably with traditional electrodiagnostic techniques, even in the absence of neuropathy, and that the presence of a positive "Tinel" sign over the tibial nerve in the tarsal tunnel can identify this as a site of chronic nerve compression.[4]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Davis EN, Chung KC. The Tinel sign: a historical perspective. Plastic and reconstructive surgery. 2004 Aug 1;114(2):494-9.
  2. Tinel J, Kaplan EB. The “tingling” sign in peripheral nerve lesions. Injuries to the major branches of peripheral nerves of the forearm. 1978:8.
  3. Clinical diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome: old tests-new concepts. El Miedany Y, Ashour S, Youssef S, Mehanna A, Meky FA. Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
  4. Dellon AL. | The four medial ankle tunnels: a critical review of perceptions of tarsal tunnel syndrome and neuropathy. | Neurosurg Clin N Am. | 2008 Oct;19(4):629-48, vii