What is Homans' sign?

Homans' sign is a diagnostic indicator that indicates the presence of a clot in the deep veins of the lower limb. When evaluating the patient on the possibility of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) or blood clots, the doctor bends the patient's knee and forcibly bends the leg so that the fingers appear. This maneuver applies traction to the main vein in the calf area, the rear tibial vein. If the patient experiences pain in the calf muscle or at the knee with this maneuver - a positive Homans sign - the doctor will continue with further testing, such as venography, to confirm the diagnosis. Homans' sign was first described in the article in 1938 by John Homans, in which he supports his theory that early DVT produces congestion and calf irritability, leading to pain induced by homans sign.

In addition to deep venous thrombosis, Homans' sign can be present in other conditions of the lower limb. Diffuse swelling of the lower koMuscle infections or injuries can also contribute to pain during knee flexion with foot tilting. Patients with cracked discs in the lumbar spine with nerve root compression can also represent a homans sign. In addition, women who chronically wear high heels may notice a positive Homans sign when they switch to flat shoes. Homans 'sign is present in about 33 percent of patients with DVT and 20 percent of patients without DVT, suggesting that Homans' s sign is not highly specific to DVT.

Since the clinical symptoms of DVT may be unreliable, DVT diagnosis mainly depends on confirmation by other diagnostic tests, including impedance of the knitsmography, venography and ultrasonography. The impedance of the knitsmography measures to what extent the foot tissue prevents the flow of electric current in the leg with a lower impedance pointing on the clot. Venography uses a radine -inspection dye that displays blood flow blocking. Ultrasonography measures the amount of compressibility of the vein of the legs, with the reduced STLA and proclaims indicate a clot. Most doctors will use both clinical presentation, including the presence of homans sign and auxiliary diagnostic tests to assess the probability that the patient has a DVT.

Deep venous thrombosis occurs when blood coagulates in one of the deep legs that transport blood back to the heart. Many patients have no symptoms. However, if the patient does not receive any treatment, the clot may break into pieces, relax and travel to the lungs and block the artery into the lung tissue. This condition, called lung embolus, can be life -threatening.