Tinel

Tinel's sign is a medical sign used to detect irritated nerves. It is named after French neurologist Jules Tinel (1879–1952).

Description

Tinel's sign is performed by lightly tapping (percussing) over the nerve to elicit a sensation of tingling or "pins and needles" in the distribution of the nerve. It is less commonly known as "Hoffmann-Tinel sign". It is recognized by the patient as a sensation of tingling or numbness.

Clinical significance

Tinel's sign is a sign of nerve regeneration and recovery, rather than a sign of nerve injury. It is often used in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, and tarsal tunnel syndrome.

History

The sign is named after Jules Tinel, a French neurologist who described the sign in 1915 during World War I. He noticed that tingling sensations often accompanied nerve regeneration in soldiers who had nerve injuries.

See also

• Phalen's maneuver
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Cubital tunnel syndrome
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome

References

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