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Hoffman Sign

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Other Names

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Demonstration of Hoffman's Sign
Hoffmans Sign[1]
  • Hoffmann's Sign Test
  • Hoffman's sign
  • Hoffman Sign
  • Hoffmann Sign
  • Hoffman Reflex
  • Finger Flexor Reflex
  • Digital Reflex
  • Pathologic Finger Flexion Reflex

Purpose

  • Assess for cervical myelopathy and upper motor neuron lesions

Description

  • The patient is seated or standing
  • The examiner repeatedly flips either the volar or dorsal surfaces of the middle finger and observing the thumb and index finger
  • Positive test
    • Thumb and index finger reflex contraction
    • Suggests presence of upper motor neuron lesion

Pathology

Evidence

Cervical Myelopathy

  • Cervical Cord Compression[2]
    • Sensitivity: 58%
    • Specificity: 78%
    • PPV: 62%
    • NPV: 75%

See Also

References

  1. ↑ Annaswamy, Thiru M., et al. "Reliability and repeatability of the Hoffmann sign." PM&R 4.7 (2012): 498-503.
  2. ↑ Glaser, John A., et al. "Cervical spinal cord compression and the Hoffman sign." The Iowa orthopaedic journal 21 (2001): 49.
Created by:
John Kiel on 15 January 2020 19:57:37
Authors:
Last edited:
9 December 2025 15:15:35
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