Carpal Compression Test

Original Editor - Anas Mohamed Top Contributors - Anas Mohamed

Purpose[edit | edit source]

Carpal Compression Test or Median Compression Test or Durkan’s test is a diagnostic test for carpal tunnel syndrome.

Technique[edit | edit source]

Step 1. Patient position in standing or sitting.

Step 2. Patient forearm is supinated and then examiner applies direct pressure over the carpal tunnel between the thenar and hypothenar eminence (median nerve) for 30 seconds.

Step 3. Positive test indicates any numbness, pain or paresthesia in the distribution of median nerve.

Evidence[edit | edit source]

Research was done on 2016 to find more suitable diagnostic test for carpal tunnel syndrome among carpal compression test (CCST, Tinel’s test (TT) and Phalen’s test (PT) test. Study shows sensitivity and specificity of Carpal compression test were higher than the both Tinel's and Phalen's test.also study suggest both CCT and TT were positive, the diagnosis is more likely to be CTS[2].

See the test diagnostics page for an explanation of statistics.
[2] Carpal compression test Tinel's test Phalen's test
sensitivity 80.6% 65.3% 59.7%
specificity 52.9% 47.1% 35.3%

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Utility of Scratch Collapse Test in a Case of Failed Carpal Tunnel Releases. WUSTL Learn Surgery. Available from: https://youtu.be%7CxadO8ie7mXg
  2. 2.0 2.1 Almasi-Doghaee M, Boostani R, Saeedi M, Ebrahimzadeh S, Moghadam-Ahmadi A, Saeedi-Borujeni MJ. Carpal compression, Phalen's and Tinel's test: Which one is more suitable for carpal tunnel syndrome?. Iran J Neurol. 2016;15(3):173-174.