## **What is the Piano Key Test?**
The Piano Key Test, also known as the piano key sign test, is a clinical technique to assess the stability of the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) and the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) of the wrist. It's effective for diagnosing TFCC tears and DRUJ instability.
To conduct the piano keys test, the examiner must first ensure that the arm is pronated and supported. With one hand, they will stabilize the hand from the ulnar side and with the other hand, the examiner will then add pressure on the distal ulna (with the first two fingers) and the distal radius (with the thumb).
## **How to use our Piano Key Test template**
Our Piano Key Test template is designed to streamline your clinical documentation. Follow these steps to get started:
### **Step 1: Download the resource**
Download our Piano Key Test template from our website or via the link on this page. It's also available in the Carepatron app.
### **Step 2: Familiarize yourself with the template**
Take some time to explore the different sections of the template. Familiarize yourself with the layout and structure so you can efficiently complete your documentation.
### **Step 3: Explain how it works to your patient**
Before beginning the Piano Key Test, explain to your patient what it is and how it will help you assess their DRUJ.
### **Step 4: Conduct the test**
Use the instructions in the template to perform the Piano Key Test on your patient on both the affected and non-affected side for comparison. Make sure to record all relevant details and any abnormalities.
### **Step 5: Record and interpret the results**
After you conduct the test, record and interpret the results on the resource. The test is considered positive if there is laxity, pain, or minimal resistance felt.
### **Step 6: Next steps**
Use the interpretation as a basis for the next steps which may be diagnosis, further testing, treatments like medication/therapy/surgery or asking for a second opinion on your examination.
## **When to use our Piano Key Test template**
There are a number of situations when you can use our template. Some of them include:
- **Standardized assessment**: When you're conducting this assessment to ensure consistency in performance and so you may have a document for reference and record-keeping purposes.
- **Record findings**: You can use our template when recording findings such as symptoms, degree of movement, presence and severity of pain, etc. These pieces of information will be valuable when narrowing down the differential diagnosis or guiding further investigations.
- **Track progress**: Another situation when our template comes in handy is when you're monitoring the effectiveness of the treatment.
- **Legal and billing documentation**: A crucial situation that may need a template is during documentation for legal and billing purposes as it serves as the formal record of the findings.
## **Benefits of using our template**
Here are some of the benefits of using our Piano Key Test template:
### **Easy clinical documentation**
Our Piano Key Test template is specifically designed for clinical documentation. It provides a clear and concise format to record the results of the test, making it easy for healthcare professionals to document their findings accurately.
### **Time-saving**
With our Piano Key Test example, you don't have to start from scratch when documenting your patient's results. Our template includes all the necessary sections and formatting, saving you valuable time and effort.
### **Customizable and fully digital**
Our Piano Key Test template is fully customizable, allowing you to add or remove sections based on your specific needs. It is also digital and can be easily filled out using any device, making it convenient for both in-person and remote assessments.
