Woltman

Woltman's sign is a clinical sign in which there is a delay in the return of the foot to the neutral position after it is passively flexed upwards. This sign is named after Henry Woltman, a 20th-century American neurologist.

History

Henry Woltman, a neurologist at the Mayo Clinic, first described the sign in 1940. He noticed that patients with hypothyroidism often had a delayed relaxation phase of their deep tendon reflexes.

Clinical significance

Woltman's sign is most commonly associated with hypothyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone. However, it can also be seen in other conditions such as hyperlipidemia and diabetes mellitus.

The sign is thought to be due to a decrease in metabolic activity and a subsequent slowing of nerve conduction. This results in a delay in the relaxation of the muscle after a sudden stretch.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of Woltman's sign is made clinically. The healthcare provider will passively flex the patient's foot upwards and then let it go. If the foot returns to the neutral position more slowly than normal, this is considered a positive Woltman's sign.

Treatment

Treatment of Woltman's sign involves addressing the underlying condition. For example, if the sign is due to hypothyroidism, treatment would involve thyroid hormone replacement therapy.

See also

• Hypothyroidism
• Hyperlipidemia
• Diabetes mellitus
• Henry Woltman

References

Woltman Resources
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