What physical exam maneuver is used to assess hypothenar hammer syndrome?

The Allen test is the appropriate maneuver for assessing hypothenar hammer syndrome. This condition typically arises from repetitive trauma or compression to the ulnar artery, often seen in individuals who perform manual work or activities that exert pressure on the base of the palm.

In the Allen test, the clinician evaluates the patency of the radial and ulnar arteries. The test involves occluding both arteries followed by the release of one while observing the return of blood flow to the hand. In patients with hypothenar hammer syndrome, there may be inadequate blood flow to the hand or altered perfusion due to the compromised ulnar artery, thus revealing the presence of the syndrome based on the capillary refill or color change of the hand.

Understanding this context highlights the importance of differentiating between these various physical exam maneuvers. For instance, while Phalen's test is used to assess carpal tunnel syndrome by checking for symptoms when the wrists are flexed, and Finkelstein's test is used for De Quervain's tenosynovitis by eliciting pain on thumb movement, neither directly evaluates the vascular implications associated with hypothenar hammer syndrome. Tinel's sign similarly assesses for nerve irritation, specifically in carpal tunnel syndrome, making the Allen test