A special test of the ligamentous instability test of the wrist joint.

• These ligamentous instability tests of the wrist joint tests are applied to the clinic to check the instability of the ligament of the wrist joint.
• These clinical tests are applied by to therapist or doctor when the patient complains about wrist joint pain.
• These tests are applied to examine part of the assessment in the wrist joint.

Name of the special test of the ligamentous instability test of the wrist joint:

1. Ligamentous instability test for the fingers
2. Linscheid test
3. Lunotriquetral ballottement test
4. Lunotriquetral shear test

Ligamentous instability test for the fingers:-

• Purpose = This ligamentous instability test for the fingers is used to check the integrity of the collateral ligament.

• Technique = Starting position of the patient for the test is sitting position.
• The examiner [ therapist ] stabilizes the finger with the help of one hand proximal to the joint to be tested.
• With the help of the other hand, the examiner [ therapist ] grasps the finger distal to the joint to be tested.
• The examiner’s distal hand is then used to apply a varus or valgus stress to the joint [ proximal or distal interphalangeal ] to test the integrity of the collateral ligament.

• Result = the results are compared for laxity with those of the uninvolved hand, which is tested first.

Linscheid test:-

• Purpose = This linscheid test is used to check the detect ligamentous instability of the second & third carpometacarpal joints.

• Technique = starting position of the patient for the test is sitting position.
• The examiner supports the metacarpal shafts with the help of one hand.
• With the help of the other hand, the examiner pushes the metacarpal heads dorsally, then primarily.

• Result = Pain localized to the carpometacarpal joints is a positive test.

Lunotriquetral ballottement test :-

• Purpose = This lunotriquetral ballottement test is used to check to determine the integrity of the lunotriquetral ligament.

• Technique = starting position of the patient for the test is sitting position.
• The examiner grasps the triquetrum between the thumb & second finger of one hand & the lunate with the thumb & second finger with the help of the other hand.
• The examiner then moves the lunate up & down [ anteriorly & posteriorly ] ,noting any laxity,crepitus.

• Result = If the patient fell the pain, which indicates a positive test for lunotriquetral instability.

Lunotriquetral shear test :-

• Purpose = This lunotriquetral shear test is used to check the integrity of the lunotriquetral ligament.

• Technique = starting position of the patient for the test is sitting position.
• The patient is seated with the elbow flexed in neutral rotation & resting on the examining table.
• With the help of one hand, the examiner [ therapist ] grasps the patient’s wrist so that the thumb rests in the patient’s palm & the fingers are placed over the dorsum of the proximal row of carpals to support the lunate.
• The thumb of the examiner’s [ therapist ] opposite hands loads the pisotriquetral joint on the palmar aspect, applying a shearing force to the lunotriquetral joint.

• Result = If the patient feels the pain, crepitus, or abnormal movement is considered positive tests.

Author: Vaishali Ladva