Wrist & Hand
Functional
Evidence: confirmed
Pinch Strength Test Special Test
Orthopedic Physical Examination & Clinical Assessment Guide
What is it used for?
- Assessing intrinsic muscle strength and nerve integrity.
How to Perform
- Tool: Pinch Gauge.
- Tip Pinch: Thumb tip to index tip (Median nerve/FPL/FDP).
- Key Pinch: Thumb pad to lateral index (Ulnar nerve/Adductor Pollicis).
- Palmar Pinch: Thumb pad to index/middle pads (Median nerve).
Interpretation of Results
- Compare to norms and opposite side.
Clinical Context & Limitations
The Pinch Strength Test 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 Pinch Strength Test with complementary examination tests significantly improves overall diagnostic confidence.
References
- Magee, D. J. (2021). Orthopedic Physical Assessment.
