Wrist & Hand
TFCC & Impingement
Evidence: uncertain
Supination Lift Test Special Test
Orthopedic Physical Examination & Clinical Assessment Guide
What is it used for?
- Diagnosing TFCC Tear.
How to Perform
- Position: Patient places palms on the underside of a table (forearms supinated).
- Action: Patient attempts to lift the table.
Interpretation of Results
- Positive Test: Localized pain on the ulnar side of the wrist.
- Why: Loading the wrist in supination compresses the TFCC.
Clinical Context & Limitations
The Supination Lift 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 Supination Lift Test with complementary examination tests significantly improves overall diagnostic confidence.
References
- Magee, D. J. (2021). Orthopedic Physical Assessment.
