2007, Number 2
Clinical test to evaluate the function of the flexor digitorum superficialis of the 5th finger
Mecott RGA, Pérez PS
Full text
Language: Spanish
References: 8
Page: 82-86
PDF size: 139.32 Kb.
ABSTRACT
The objective of the study is to find a useful clinical test to evaluate the function of the flexor digitorum superficialis of the 5th finger, because the classical test gives negative results in a significant number of healthy patients. Our test consists of flexing the metacarpophalangeal joint 90° resting the dorsum of the fingers on a table. The observer holds the extended fingers except the finger to be examined, the patient is asked to flex his/her finger, resulting positive if he/she is able to flex the proximal interphalangeal joint › 90°, partial if ‹ 90° but › 30°, and negative if ‹ 30°. We carried out the classical test, modified by Stein and our tests on 250 individuals (500 hands). Results were compared recording the outcome of the test related to the dominant hand and the symmetry in both hands. Our test was positive in 91% of the patients versus 59.4 of the classical test and 95.6 in Stein’s test. No relationship with the dominant hand was found and it was symmetric in 90% of the patients opposed to 72.4% in the classical test and 92.8% in Stein’s test.REFERENCES