Phalen's test with carpal compression: testing in diabetics for the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Phalen's test with carpal compression is a reliable clinical test for the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome. Along with classical clinical symptoms and positive clinical tests there may be no need to perform additonal electrodiagnostic studies, thus saving time and money. However, in the diabetic population this test has been shown to be a less reliable clinical tool in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome. Therefore, Phalen's test with carpal compression is not a predictive indicator of carpal tunnel syndrome in the diabetic population.