Editing Adson's sign

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 |differential  = thoracic outlet syndrome
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'''Adson's sign''' is the loss of the radial [[pulse]] in the arm by rotating head to the ipsilateral side with extended neck following deep inspiration.

It is sometimes used as a sign of [[thoracic outlet syndrome]] (TOS).<ref>{{EMedicine|article|1143532|Neurologic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome}}</ref>
It is named after [[Alfred Washington Adson]].<ref>{{WhoNamedIt|synd|1982|Adson's manoeuvre}}</ref>

==Limitations, and pathophysiology of thoracic outlet syndrome==
Adson's sign is no longer used as a positive diagnosis of TOS since many people without TOS will show a positive Adson's.{{cn|date=February 2021}}

There is minimal evidence of interexaminer reliability.<ref name="pmid16883381">{{cite journal|vauthors=Malanga GA, Landes P, Nadler SF |title=Provocative tests in cervical spine examination: historical basis and scientific analyses |journal=Pain Physician |volume=6 |issue=2 |pages=199–205 |date=April 2003 |pmid=16883381 |url=http://www.painphysicianjournal.com/linkout_vw.php?issn=1533-3159&vol=6&page=199 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723082023/http://www.painphysicianjournal.com/linkout_vw.php?issn=1533-3159&vol=6&page=199 |archive-date=2011-07-23 }}</ref>

Thoracic outlet obstruction may be caused by a number of abnormalities, including degenerative or bony disorders, trauma to the cervical spine, fibromuscular bands, vascular abnormalities, and spasm of the anterior scalene muscle. Symptoms are due to compression of the [[brachial plexus]] and [[subclavian artery|subclavian vasculature]], and consist of complaints ranging from diffuse arm pain to a sensation of arm fatigue, frequently aggravated by carrying anything in the [[ipsilateral]] hand or doing overhead work such as window cleaning.{{citation needed|date=May 2015}}

==Process==
* The patient is placed in a sitting position, hands resting on thighs.
* The examiner palpates radial pulse on side being tested
* Patient actively rotates head to ipsilateral side being tested while the examiner laterally rotates and extends the patient's shoulder
* Patient takes a deep breath and is instructed to hold it

The test is positive if radicular symptoms are reported and secondary to a diminished or loss of the radial pulse.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Magee|first1=David|title=Orthopedic Physical Assessment|date=2014|publisher=Elsevier|location=st. Louis, MO|isbn=978-1-4557-0977-9|page=344|edition=6th}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[White hand sign]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Diagnostic neurology]]
[[Category:Symptoms and signs: musculoskeletal system]]
[[Category:Symptoms and signs: Vascular]]