Homans

Homans' sign is a medical sign that is often used in the diagnosis of Deep vein thrombosis (DVT). It was named after John Homans, an American surgeon who described the sign.

Description

Homans' sign is elicited when pain in the calf is produced by dorsiflexion of the foot of the patient whose knee is bent. This sign is often used in the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). However, it is not a reliable sign for DVT as it is present in only 33% of patients with a DVT, and positive in up to 50% of patients without a DVT.

History

The sign was described by John Homans, an American surgeon, in 1944. However, it was later found that the sign was first described by an Austrian physician, John Benjamin Murphy, in 1907.

Criticism

The use of Homans' sign in the diagnosis of DVT has been criticized due to its low sensitivity and specificity. It is also potentially dangerous as it can dislodge a clot, leading to a pulmonary embolism.

See also

• Deep vein thrombosis
• John Homans
• John Benjamin Murphy
• Medical sign