Strümpell's sign

Strümpell's sign is a clinical sign used in the diagnosis of certain neurological conditions. It is named after the German neurologist Adolf von Strümpell, who first described the sign in the late 19th century.

Definition

Strümpell's sign is positive when a patient, in a supine position with hips and knees fully extended, is unable to flex the hip while keeping the knee extended. This is due to spasticity in the lower limb, often indicative of an upper motor neuron lesion.

Clinical significance

Strümpell's sign is used in the clinical setting to help diagnose conditions such as spastic paraplegia, multiple sclerosis, and cerebral palsy. It is one of several neurological signs that can indicate damage to the upper motor neurons, which carry signals from the brain to the spinal cord. Other signs include Babinski's sign, Hoffmann's sign, and Rossolimo's sign.

Limitations

While Strümpell's sign can be a useful tool in the diagnosis of neurological conditions, it is not definitive. A positive sign does not necessarily mean a patient has an upper motor neuron lesion, and a negative sign does not rule it out. Other diagnostic tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and electromyography (EMG), may be needed to confirm a diagnosis.

See also

• Neurological examination
• Upper motor neuron lesion
• Lower motor neuron lesion