Scaphoid shift (Watson) test
For: Scapholunate ligament instability
A tear or stretch of the scapholunate ligament, which joins two wrist bones (the scaphoid and the lunate), letting them move apart abnormally.
A weak test on its ownWhat the numbers mean
- Positive result: a small shift: a positive result nudges the diagnosis up, but does not settle it.
- Negative result: barely informative: a negative result changes little.
Source
Schmauss D, Pöhlmann S, Weinzierl A, et al. Relevance of the scaphoid shift test for the investigation of scapholunate ligament injuries. J Clin Med. 2022;11(21):6322. Journal article (DOI) · single study
Figures as they will appear in Rule It In, Rule It Out (Trokos, forthcoming). If a newer or better study changes them, this page changes with the book. Figures last updated from the book on 2 October 2026.
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