Oppenheim’s Sign

Oppenheim’s Sign

Oppenheim’s sign is a variant method for eliciting the plantar response, by application of heavy pressure to the anterior surface of the tibia, for example with the thumb, moving from patella to ankle. Extension of the hallux (upgoing plantar response, Babinski’s sign) is pathological. Like Chaddock’s sign, Oppenheim’s sign always postdates the development of Babinski’s sign as a reliable indicator of corticospinal pathway (upper motor neurone) pathology.

References

Pearce JMS. Oppenheim’s sign. In: Pearce JMS. Fragments of neuro- logical history. London: Imperial College Press, 2003: 359-361
Van Gijn J. The Babinski sign: a centenary. Utrecht: Universiteit Utrecht, 1996

Cross References

Babinski’s sign (1); Chaddock’s sign; Gordon’s sign; Plantar response; Upper motor neurone (UMN) syndrome