II. Technique
- Patient pronates hand with fingers extended and relaxed
- Examiner holds the patient's pronated hand, and supports the middle finger below the DIP joint
- Examiner quickly presses or flicks down on the Fingernail region of the middle finger
III. Findings: Abnormal (Positive Hoffman Sign)
- Involuntary flexion and adduction (opposition) of the thumb
- Other fingers may also flex (e.g. index finger)
IV. Causes: Abnormal Reflex
- Normal finding in 3% of U.S. population (typically present bilaterally in these patients)
- Upper Motor Neuron Lesion (Corticospinal tract)
V. References
- Degowin and Degowin (1987) Bedside Diagnostic Exam, Macmillan Publishing, New York, p. 820