Tinel’s Test
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.
Conditions that have been associated with a Positive Tinel's sign[3]:
- Carpal Tunnel syndrome
- Cubital tunnel syndrome
- Radial nerve entrapment
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome
- Superficial peroneal neuropathy, and
- Thoracic outlet syndrome.
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]
| Sensitivity | Specificity | |
|---|---|---|
| Carpal Tunnel Syndrome[4] | 25% - 75% | 70% - 90% |
| Cubital tunnel syndrome[5] | 70% | 98% |
| Diabetic neuropathy[6] | 95% | 56% |
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Tinel J, Kaplan EB. The “tingling” sign in peripheral nerve lesions. Injuries to the major branches of peripheral nerves of the forearm. 1978:8.
- ↑ Moldaver JO. Tinel's sign. Its characteristics and significance. JBJS. 1978 Apr 1;60(3):412-4.
- ↑ TINEL’S SI. Tinel’s sign and Phalen’s maneuver: physical signs of carpal tunnel syndrome. Hospital Physician. 2000 Jul:39.
- ↑ Pandey T, Slaughter AJ, Reynolds KA, Jambhekar K, David RM, Hasan SA. Clinical orthopedic examination findings in the upper extremity: correlation with imaging studies and diagnostic efficacy. Radiographics. 2014 Mar;34(2):e24-40.
- ↑ Lee CH, Dellon AL. Prognostic ability of Tinel sign in determining outcome for decompression surgery in diabetic and nondiabetic neuropathy. Annals of plastic surgery. 2004 Dec 1;53(6):523-7.
