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Fouchers Sign

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The right popliteal fossa. Left with muscles relaxed; right with resisted knee flexion. During resisted knee flexion the cyst (Cys) becomes harder, the semimembranosus (Sm) more prominent, and the cleft between Cys and Sm deeper.[1]
  • Foucher Sign
  • Foucher's Sign
  • Foucher’s Phenomenon

Purpose

  • To evaluate the popliteal fossa for the presence of a Bakers Cyst

Description

  • Examine the popliteal fossa in full knee extension and in flexion[2]
  • Positive test
    • Cyst often will be firm in full knee extension, soft when the knee is flexed
    • Cyst compression between the medial head of the Gastrocnemius and Semimembranosus as they approximate each other and the joint capsule during knee extension
  • Useful to distinguish from other masses in the popliteal fossa
    • Palpation of the mass is unaffected by the knee position
    • Examples: popliteal artery aneurysms, ganglia, adventitial cysts, and tumors

Pathology

Evidence

  • Unknown

See Also

References

  1. ↑ Canoso, J. J., et al. "Foucher's sign of the Baker's cyst." Annals of the rheumatic diseases 46.3 (1987): 228-232.
  2. ↑ Canoso JJ, Goldsmith MR, Gerzof SG, Wohlgethan JR. Foucher’s sign of the Baker’s cyst. Ann Rheum Dis. 1987;46:228-232.
Created by:
John Kiel on 16 December 2020 23:03:05
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Last edited:
16 November 2025 13:54:40
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