What does the Tinel's Sign test primarily assess?

Tinel's Sign test primarily assesses median nerve pathology, particularly in the context of carpal tunnel syndrome. During the test, the clinician taps over the median nerve at the wrist, which can elicit symptoms such as tingling or "pins and needles" in the distribution of the median nerve if there is irritation or compression present. This response indicates potential involvement and dysfunction of the median nerve, often associated with conditions that affect its integrity and function.

While other tests may evaluate ulnar nerve issues or cervical myelopathy, Tinel's Sign specifically is not used to assess those conditions. It does not specifically target scaphoid instability, which is instead evaluated through different clinical maneuvers and diagnostic imaging focused on the wrist.