What are the Signs of Pathological Conditions?
When there are abnormalities in the body, various methods are needed to make better judgments. Some rely on instrumental testing, while others depend on specific bodily responses. Pathological signs are reflections of the body, also known as pathological reflexes. Common pathological signs include Babinski sign, Gordon sign, Oppenheim sign, and Hoffmann sign.
The patient lies on their back, and a blunt stimulus is used to scratch the lateral edge of the patient's foot, starting from the heel and moving forward to the base of the little toe before turning inward. This causes dorsiflexion of the big toe, flexion of the other four toes, and fan-shaped spreading, known as the "fan sign", which is a typical positive manifestation of the Babinski sign. A second method involves stimulating only the lateral edge of the foot, resulting in dorsiflexion of the big toe without flexion or spreading of the other four toes. The third method involves stimulating the lateral edge of the foot, causing dorsiflexion of the big toe and the other four toes, accompanied by fan-shaped spreading of the four toes. Clinically, the presence of the "fan sign" without dorsiflexion of the big toe can only be considered as a possibility of pyramidal tract injury and cannot be definitely diagnosed as a positive Babinski sign.
The patient lies flat, and the examiner squeezes the gastrocnemius muscle, with dorsiflexion of the big toe indicating a positive sign. Its clinical significance is the same as the Babinski sign. Chadock sign: The patient lies flat with both lower limbs straight. A blunt stimulus is used to gently scratch the lateral skin of the dorsum of the foot, resulting in dorsiflexion of the big toe, which is considered positive. Its sensitivity and clinical significance are the same as the Babinski sign.
The examiner uses their thumb and index finger to apply pressure and push downward along the patient's tibia from top to bottom. The reflex is the same as the Babinski sign, and its clinical significance is also the same.
The examiner gently pinches the patient's middle finger at the distal interphalangeal joint with their right index and middle fingers, causing a slight extension of the wrist and slight flexion of the fingers. Then, the examiner presses down on the nail of the middle finger with their thumb, causing flexion and inward movement of the thumb and flexion of the other fingers. This is considered a positive response.
