Definition of Sign, Tinel's

Sign, Tinel's: An examination test that is used by doctors to detect an irritated nerve. Tinel's sign is performed by lightly banging (percussing) over the nerve to elicit a sensation of tingling or "pins and needles" in the distribution of the nerve.

For example, in a person with carpal tunnel syndrome where the median nerve is compressed at the wrist, Tinel's sign is often "positive" and causes tingling in the thumb, index, and middle fingers.

Tinel's sign is sometimes referred to as "distal tingling on percussion" or DTP.