The Wrist Ulnar Deviation Test measures how far the hand moves toward the little-finger side of the forearm. It can be assessed actively or passively using a goniometer, inclinometer, smartphone tool or consistent ROM workflow. The result helps compare sides, monitor symptoms and add context to gripping, lifting, racquet sports, stick sports, weight-bearing and upper-limb strength tasks.
A client may report difficulty moving the wrist toward the little-finger side during racquet sports, golf, hockey, lifting, gripping or work tasks. Another client may show reduced side movement on one wrist compared with the other, especially under load or during repeated gripping.
The Wrist Ulnar Deviation Test helps quantify this movement in degrees. The result is most useful when the forearm position, finger position, pain response and compensation are recorded clearly.
Test name: Wrist Ulnar Deviation Test
Purpose: Measure wrist ulnar deviation range of motion
Movement: Hand moving toward the little-finger side of the forearm
Joint/body region: Wrist
Plane: Frontal/coronal plane
ROM type: Active ROM, passive ROM or both
Score: Degrees of wrist ulnar deviation
Equipment: Goniometer, inclinometer, smartphone ROM tool or Measurz ROM workflow
Best used with: Wrist radial deviation, wrist flexion, wrist extension, grip strength, racquet sport, lifting and weight-bearing hand assessments
Key limitation: Forearm position, finger position and compensatory wrist flexion/extension can affect the result
The Wrist Ulnar Deviation Test measures movement of the hand toward the ulnar or little-finger side of the forearm. It is sometimes called ulnar adduction of the wrist.
It should be recorded separately from radial deviation, wrist flexion and wrist extension.
The test is used to quantify ulnar-side wrist movement, compare sides and monitor change over time.
It may help inform:
Grip and hand function monitoring
Racquet, bat or stick sport movement
Tool-use and work-task assessment
Upper-limb strength exercise setup
Weight-bearing hand positions
Pain and symptom tracking
Progress across sessions
The test measures wrist ulnar deviation ROM in degrees.
It may be influenced by:
Radiocarpal and midcarpal movement
Forearm position
Finger position
Wrist flexion or extension compensation
Pain or symptoms
Grip tension
Hand dominance
Device placement
Professional stabilisation
It does not explain the cause of reduced ulnar deviation by itself.
Active wrist ulnar deviation measures how far the client can move the hand toward the little-finger side using their own control.
Passive wrist ulnar deviation measures available range when the professional guides the hand.
Active and passive values should be recorded separately because they may differ due to pain, control, strength, symptoms or available joint range.
This test may be useful for gym clients, manual workers, racquet sport athletes, golfers, hockey players, climbers, musicians, desk workers and anyone where wrist side movement affects training, work or daily function.
Goniometer, inclinometer or smartphone ROM tool
Table or supported surface
Pain scale
Measurz for recording ROM, pain and symptoms
Optional towel support
Optional comparison side notes
Position the client sitting with the forearm supported on a table.
Place the forearm in pronation unless another method is selected. The wrist starts in neutral with the hand aligned with the forearm.
Sit or stand beside the tested wrist with clear access to hand and forearm landmarks.
Keep the fingers relaxed and the wrist neutral before starting. Avoid gripping unless the selected protocol requires it.
Stabilise the distal forearm to minimise forearm movement and reduce compensatory wrist flexion or extension.
For active ROM, ask the client to move the hand toward the little-finger side as far as comfortably possible.
For passive ROM, gently guide the wrist toward ulnar deviation until the first firm endpoint, symptom limit or compensation threshold.
For goniometry, commonly align the axis over the capitate or dorsal wrist region, stationary arm along the dorsal midline of the forearm and moving arm along the dorsal midline of the third metacarpal.
Place the inclinometer or smartphone consistently on the dorsum of the hand, a held reference object or selected hand segment according to your protocol. Record placement.
Ask about wrist pain, little-finger-side symptoms, forearm tightness, stiffness, pinching, symptom location and whether symptoms are familiar.
Stop if pain increases sharply, symptoms spread, the client guards or compensation dominates the movement.
Record active/passive method, side, degrees, pain score, symptom location, forearm position, finger position, device used and compensation.
One to three trials may be used. Record best, average or selected trial consistently.
Use the same forearm position, finger position, device, landmarks, endpoint and scoring method each session.
The score is recorded in degrees.
A higher value means more ulnar deviation under the tested setup. A lower value means less ulnar deviation compared with baseline, the other side or related upper-limb findings.
Interpretation is stronger when paired with pain score, symptom location, active/passive comparison, radial deviation, wrist flexion, wrist extension, grip strength, weight-bearing tolerance, racquet sport tasks, stick sport tasks or work demands.
The result does not explain the cause of reduced or painful ulnar deviation by itself.
Wrist ulnar deviation measurement depends on consistent hand, forearm and device positioning. A 2022 study comparing standard goniometer, smartphone and inertial measurement unit glove methods included wrist radial and ulnar deviation, supporting the importance of standardised measurement when comparing wrist ROM across sessions.
A 2021 wrist ROM technology study reported that smartphone-based measurements of wrist ROM are feasible and accurate for outcome-style measurement after wrist surgery, but the method still needs consistent setup and interpretation.
Common errors include moving the forearm, changing finger position, allowing wrist flexion or extension, poor landmarking, forcing passive range, not recording symptoms and comparing active/passive values without labelling them.
Limitations include pain, swelling, guarding, device variation, hand dominance, grip tension, compensation and measurement error.
Use wrist ulnar deviation ROM to monitor wrist mobility, compare sides and add context to gripping, lifting, racquet sports, golf, stick sports, push-ups, planks, tool use and upper-limb strength work.
In Measurz, record baseline wrist ulnar deviation ROM in degrees using the goniometer, inclinometer or chosen device. Note active or passive method, side tested, pain score, symptom location, forearm position, finger position, test position, device used and compensation.
Track progress across sessions and add related wrist radial deviation, flexion, extension, grip strength, push-up, plank, racquet sport, stick sport or work-task findings.
Wrist Radial Deviation Test
Wrist Flexion Test
Wrist Extension Test
Elbow Pronation Test
Elbow Supination Test
Grip Strength Test
Push-Up Test
Plank Test
It measures how far the wrist moves toward the little-finger side of the forearm.
Both can be useful. Active ROM reflects controlled movement, while passive ROM reflects available range when guided.
Forearm position changes hand alignment and can affect how ulnar deviation is measured.
Record side, degrees, active/passive method, pain, symptoms, forearm position, finger position and compensation.
Use the same forearm position, finger position, device, landmarks and endpoint each session.
Wrist ulnar deviation ROM measures movement toward the little-finger side.
Forearm, hand and finger position should be standardised.
Active and passive results should be recorded separately.
Measurz should capture degrees, side, pain, method, position and compensation.
Clarkson, H. M. (2020). Musculoskeletal assessment: Joint range of motion, muscle testing, and function (4th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.
Oosterwijk, A. M., et al. (2021). Validation of a smartphone application and wearable sensor for wrist range of motion measurement. Journal of Hand Surgery European Volume. Needs verification.
Shafiee, E., Milani Zadeh, S., MacDermid, J. C., Langohr, G. D., Johnson, J., & Lu, S. (2025). Reliability and validity of using smartphone sensor and photography to measure hand and upper extremity joint range of motion: A systematic review. Journal of Hand Therapy. Needs verification.
Wang, C., et al. (2022). Comparison of the wrist range of motion measurement between smartphone, goniometer and inertial measurement unit glove. Applied Sciences, 12(7), 3418. Needs verification.
