Medical Definition of Hoover's sign
1.
The patient is asked to lie supine on a couch, and when asked to raise one leg, they involuntarily make counter pressure with the heel of the other leg. If this leg is paralysed, whatever muscular power is preserved in it will be exerted in this way, or if the patient attempts to lift a paralysed leg, counter pressure will be made with the other heel, whether any movement occurs in the paralysed limb or not.
This sign is not present in hysteria or malingering, a modification in the movement of the costal margins during respiration, caused by a flattening of the diaphragm, suggestive of empyema or other intrathoracic condition causing a change in the contour of the diaphragm.
(05 Mar 2000)
Lexicographical Neighbors of Hoover's Sign
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