Semmes Weinstein Monofilament Test

Testing should be done in a quiet area with vision occluded. The patients hand should be supported on either a towel or therapeutic putty to avoid moving the finger especially when using the larger filaments. Instruct the patient to respond when a stimuli is felt saying “Yes” or “Touch”. When testing proceed from distal to proximal and from small to large monofilaments. It is not necessary to test every area of the skin, checks may be done over areas innervated by different nerves. Press the filament at a 90 degree angle for 1.5 seconds against the skin until it bows and then remove. When the patient indicates a correct response record using the color pencil that corresponds to the colour on the handle of the monofilament onto a hand diagram. The patient should only be asked when a stimuli is felt and not where they feel it.

Full testing kit starting at $258.