Lincoln sign

Lincoln sign or Bragard sign is a clinical sign in which pain is felt in the calf muscle when the foot is dorsiflexed. It is used in the diagnosis of Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot that forms in a vein deep in the body.

Clinical Presentation

The Lincoln sign is positive when there is pain in the calf or popliteal region with forced dorsiflexion of the foot at the ankle with the knee bent. This sign is often used in conjunction with other clinical signs and symptoms to diagnose DVT.

Pathophysiology

The pathophysiology behind the Lincoln sign is not completely understood. It is believed that the pain is caused by increased pressure on the nerves and other structures in the calf due to the presence of a blood clot.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of DVT is usually confirmed by ultrasound imaging, but the Lincoln sign can be a useful clinical tool in the initial assessment of a patient. It is important to note that a negative Lincoln sign does not rule out DVT.

Treatment

Treatment for DVT typically involves anticoagulant medications to prevent the clot from getting bigger and to stop it from breaking off and causing a pulmonary embolism. In some cases, a filter may be placed in the vena cava to prevent clots from traveling to the lungs.

See Also

• Deep vein thrombosis
• Pulmonary embolism
• Homans' sign
• Wells score

References

Lincoln sign Resources
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