A positive Watson test is used to confirm which issue?

A positive Watson test is used to confirm which issue?

• A. TFCC injury
• B. Scapholunate dislocation
• C. Triquetrohamate instability/dislocation
• D. Lunate fracture

Answer: (B)

A positive Watson test reveals scapholunate instability, specifically a tear of the scapholunate ligament. The test is done by holding the distal scaphoid and applying pressure while moving the wrist from radial to ulnar deviation. If the scaphoid subluxates with a painful clunk and then relocates as you move back, that clunk and pain indicate that the scapholunate ligament is compromised, allowing abnormal movement between the scaphoid and lunate. This is the hallmark of scapholunate dissociation. It’s not a test for TFCC injury, triquetrohamate instability, or a lunate fracture, which present with different signs and tests.

A positive Watson test reveals scapholunate instability, specifically a tear of the scapholunate ligament. The test is done by holding the distal scaphoid and applying pressure while moving the wrist from radial to ulnar deviation. If the scaphoid subluxates with a painful clunk and then relocates as you move back, that clunk and pain indicate that the scapholunate ligament is compromised, allowing abnormal movement between the scaphoid and lunate. This is the hallmark of scapholunate dissociation. It’s not a test for TFCC injury, triquetrohamate instability, or a lunate fracture, which present with different signs and tests.