The Wrist Ulnar Deviation Test measures how far the wrist can move toward the little-finger side. It is useful for tracking wrist mobility, comparing sides and adding context to gripping, racquet sports, golf, manual work and upper-limb loading.
A client may report restriction when moving the wrist toward the little-finger side, discomfort with gripping, or asymmetry during lifting, racquet sports, golf or manual tasks. The Wrist Ulnar Deviation Test provides a repeatable way to measure this motion and track change across sessions.
Ulnar deviation is usually greater than radial deviation, but it is still highly influenced by forearm position and device alignment. Consistent setup is essential when using the result to monitor progress.
Test name: Wrist Ulnar Deviation Test
Purpose: Assess wrist ulnar deviation range of motion
What it assesses: Ability to move the wrist toward the little-finger/ulnar side
Equipment: Measurz inclinometer or equivalent inclinometer
Key finding: Ulnar deviation angle in degrees
Best used with: Wrist radial deviation, wrist flexion, wrist extension, forearm pronation/supination and grip strength
Key limitation: Forearm movement, finger position and wrist flexion/extension drift can affect the result
The Wrist Ulnar Deviation Test is a range of motion assessment that measures side-bending of the wrist toward the little-finger side of the hand.
In Measurz, the movement is recorded in degrees using an inclinometer aligned with the third metacarpal. The test is most useful when performed with a consistent forearm position and repeated in the same way across sessions.
This test is used to establish baseline wrist mobility, compare sides, monitor change and add context to wrist function during gripping, lifting, sport and manual tasks.
It can be useful when a client performs racquet sports, golf, climbing, combat sport, manual work or gym exercises where wrist side-bending is relevant.
The test measures wrist ulnar deviation ROM in degrees.
It does not measure grip strength, wrist stability, tendon capacity, forearm rotation, pain source or overall hand function. A lower value may be useful movement information, but it should be interpreted alongside other findings.
Active ulnar deviation is measured when the client moves the wrist toward the little-finger side themselves.
Passive ulnar deviation may be measured when the movement professional assists the wrist into the position. Record whether the result is active or passive and use the same method for retesting.
This test may be useful for racquet sport athletes, golfers, climbers, gym clients, manual workers, musicians, combat sport athletes and clients with wrist mobility or upper-limb loading goals.
It may also be relevant when wrist ROM is tracked alongside grip strength, forearm rotation, push-up tolerance or closed-chain upper-limb testing.
Measurz inclinometer or equivalent inclinometer
Chair or treatment table
Optional forearm support
Measurz app
Notes field for side, pain score, symptoms, active/passive method and compensation
Ask the client to sit comfortably with the elbow tucked close to the trunk and flexed to approximately 90 degrees. Position the forearm in pronation, with the palm facing down.
The forearm may be supported if required. If support is used, record the setup and repeat it during retesting.
Align the inclinometer with the third metacarpal. Ask the client to move the wrist toward the little-finger side as far as possible while keeping the forearm still.
Pause and save the measurement at the end of the available controlled range.
Repeat on the opposite side if side comparison is required.
Record any pain, stiffness, clicking, forearm rotation, finger movement, wrist flexion/extension drift or compensation.
Record ulnar deviation in degrees. A practical reference for wrist ulnar deviation is commonly at least 20 degrees, although individual variation is expected.
A lower score may be relevant to gripping, racquet sports, golf, lifting or manual tasks, but it does not identify the cause of restriction. Interpret the score alongside:
The opposite side
Previous baseline scores
Wrist radial deviation
Wrist flexion and extension
Forearm pronation and supination
Grip strength
Pain score and symptom location
Task-specific loading demands
Evidence level: Level 2, related or closest available reference values.
Use at least 20 degrees as a practical benchmark for wrist ulnar deviation. Side-to-side comparison and baseline retesting are often more useful than a single cut-off.
Recent wrist ROM research supports smartphone and sensor-based measurement as feasible for wrist and forearm motion when procedures are standardised. For ulnar deviation, repeatability depends on consistent third metacarpal alignment, fixed forearm position, clear movement direction and avoiding wrist flexion/extension drift.
Because small differences may reflect setup variation rather than true ROM change, interpret small changes cautiously unless the test method has been repeated consistently.
Common errors include forearm rotation, wrist flexion or extension during the movement, inconsistent third metacarpal alignment, finger movement, changing forearm support between sessions and comparing active and passive results directly.
A key limitation is that ulnar deviation is only one component of wrist mobility. It should be interpreted alongside radial deviation, flexion, extension, forearm rotation, grip strength and task-specific findings.
Use the Wrist Ulnar Deviation Test to monitor side-to-side wrist mobility, track progress across sessions and add context to gripping, racquet sports, golf, climbing, lifting, manual work and upper-limb loading.
It is most useful when paired with radial deviation, wrist flexion/extension, forearm pronation/supination and grip strength.
Record the side tested, ulnar deviation angle, active or passive method, pain score, symptom location, forearm position, whether forearm support was used, third metacarpal alignment, compensation notes, comparison side and retest date.
Useful notes may include forearm rotation, wrist flexion drift, wrist extension drift, finger movement, pain-limited range, apprehension or end-range stiffness.
Wrist Radial Deviation Test
Wrist Flexion Test
Wrist Extension Test
Elbow Pronation Test
Elbow Supination Test
Grip Strength Test
Push-Up Test
Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Test
It measures how far the wrist moves toward the little-finger side.
A practical benchmark is at least 20 degrees, but side-to-side comparison and client baseline are often more useful.
Forearm movement can make the wrist deviation score inaccurate by adding movement from outside the wrist.
No. Ulnar deviation moves the wrist toward the little-finger side, while radial deviation moves it toward the thumb side.
Yes. Active and passive ROM provide different information and should be labelled separately in Measurz.
The Wrist Ulnar Deviation Test measures little-finger-side wrist movement.
Align the device with the third metacarpal.
Keep the forearm fixed.
Record active or passive ROM.
Use at least 20 degrees as a practical benchmark.
Track symptoms, side comparison and progress in Measurz.
Engstrand, F., Tesselaar, E., Gestblom, R., & Farnebo, S. (2021). Validation of a smartphone application and wearable sensor for measurements of wrist motions. Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume), 46(10), 1057–1063.
Ge, M., Chen, J., Zhu, Z., Shi, P., Yin, L., & Xia, L. (2020). Wrist ROM measurements using smartphone photography: Reliability and validity. Hand Surgery and Rehabilitation, 39(4), 261–264.
Kiatkulanusorn, S., Luangpon, N., Srijunto, W., Watechagit, S., Pitchayadejanant, K., Kuharat, S., Anwar Bég, O., & Paepetch Suato, B. (2023). Analysis of the concurrent validity and reliability of five common clinical goniometric devices. Scientific Reports, 13, 20915.
