Wrist and hand
Watson test (scaphoid shift)
Scaphoid shift test
- What you examine
- Scapholunate instability.
- Procedure
- Press with your thumb on the scaphoid tuberosity on the palmar side and move the wrist from ulnar to radial deviation while maintaining that pressure.
- Positive when
- A palpable or audible clunk with pain when you release the pressure, as the scaphoid reduces into the fossa.
- What the test is worth
- Sensitivity around 0.69 and specificity around 0.66. About one in five healthy wrists also tests positive, so always compare with the other side.
- Caution
- A clunk without pain is common and means nothing. Only the combination of clunk and recognisable pain counts.
- Body region
- Wrist and hand