Wrist & Hand
Nerve Compression
Evidence: confirmed
Wartenberg's Sign Special Test
Orthopedic Physical Examination & Clinical Assessment Guide
What is it used for?
- Diagnosing Ulnar Nerve Neuropathy.
How to Perform
- Action: Patient places hand flat on table and attempts to adduct (bring together) all fingers.
Interpretation of Results
- Positive Test: The little finger drifts into abduction (away from the ring finger).
- Why: Weakness of the palmar interossei muscles (Ulnar nerve) allows the extensors to pull the finger out.
Clinical Context & Limitations
The Wartenberg's Sign should be considered as one component of a comprehensive musculoskeletal assessment. No single special test has perfect diagnostic accuracy; thus, clinical decision-making should integrate test results with patient-reported symptoms, mechanism of injury, functional impairment, and relevant imaging.
Clinicians should be aware of potential false-positive results in patients with pain sensitisation, muscle guarding, or poor relaxation. For the Wrist & Hand region, combining the Wartenberg's Sign with complementary examination tests significantly improves overall diagnostic confidence.
