Which sign is defined by pain on dorsiflexion of the foot and is classically used in evaluating deep vein thrombosis?

Which sign is defined by pain on dorsiflexion of the foot and is classically used in evaluating deep vein thrombosis?

• A. Trousseau sign
• B. Courvoisier sign
• C. Homer's sign
• D. Homan's sign

Answer: (D)

Pain on passive dorsiflexion of the foot is Homan's sign. This sign is described when bringing the foot into dorsiflexion while the knee is extended, which stretches the posterior calf muscles and the deep venous system; if a thrombus is present, this stretching can provoke calf pain. It’s a classic bedside clue for deep vein thrombosis, but it’s neither sensitive nor specific, so it cannot diagnose DVT on its own. Modern practice relies on duplex ultrasound to assess vein compressibility and D-dimer testing in appropriate patients. The other signs listed don’t pertain to DVT: Trousseau sign relates to hypocalcemia (or migratory thrombophlebitis in malignancy), Courvoisier sign points to a distended gallbladder with painless jaundice in pancreatic cancer, and Homer's sign is not a standard DVT indicator.

Pain on passive dorsiflexion of the foot is Homan's sign. This sign is described when bringing the foot into dorsiflexion while the knee is extended, which stretches the posterior calf muscles and the deep venous system; if a thrombus is present, this stretching can provoke calf pain. It’s a classic bedside clue for deep vein thrombosis, but it’s neither sensitive nor specific, so it cannot diagnose DVT on its own. Modern practice relies on duplex ultrasound to assess vein compressibility and D-dimer testing in appropriate patients. The other signs listed don’t pertain to DVT: Trousseau sign relates to hypocalcemia (or migratory thrombophlebitis in malignancy), Courvoisier sign points to a distended gallbladder with painless jaundice in pancreatic cancer, and Homer's sign is not a standard DVT indicator.