Froment's sign with cubital tunnel sydrome

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between Froment's sign and cubital tunnel syndrome, exploring conflicting views on whether Froment's sign can occur in this condition. Participants share personal experiences, reference literature, and question the validity of differing opinions on the topic.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant reports experiencing Froment's sign alongside cubital tunnel syndrome, despite being told it should not occur with this condition.
  • Another participant questions the credibility of unnamed sources claiming Froment's sign does not occur in cubital tunnel syndrome, suggesting that expert literature should be prioritized.
  • A participant references a source indicating that Froment's sign is associated with paralysis of the adductor pollicis muscle, which may complicate the understanding of its occurrence in cubital tunnel syndrome.
  • Some participants note that there are clinical trials and expert opinions suggesting Froment's sign can be present in cases of cubital tunnel syndrome.
  • One participant mentions that their doctor did not test for Froment's sign, but they describe a self-test for it, indicating a personal experience with the symptoms.
  • A later reply emphasizes the importance of professional diagnosis over self-diagnosis, stating that the forum does not provide medical advice.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express disagreement regarding the occurrence of Froment's sign in cubital tunnel syndrome, with some asserting it can happen and others suggesting it cannot. No consensus is reached on the validity of the differing claims.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of a definitive diagnosis for some participants and the reliance on personal experiences and interpretations of literature, which may not be universally accepted.

julian
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Recently I had a fairly serious case of cubital Tunnel Syndrome with symptoms of hand clawing and Froment's sign. However I have been told Froment's sign never happens with cubital tunnel syndrome. However the book "Anatomic Basis of Neurologic Diagnosis" states that Froment's sign is a cardinal feature of cubital tunnel syndrome. This book published in 2009 has been described by the "American Association of Neurological Surgeons" as "Superbly written" and the book description reads "...book that places special emphasis on the paramount importance of signs and symptoms for the accurate diagnosis of neurologic disorder."

What am I a supposed to think of this? Obviously I know Froment's happened with me but can someone explain why people would say Froment's sign wouldn't happen with cubital tunnel syndrome?
 
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Who are these unnamed 'people'? Are they doctors or other clinicians? Why would you place more credence in what may be an unsubstantiated rumor over a book published by an association of neurological surgeons? Who knows why people say things? People have all kinds of moon-bat opinions. It does not mean they are better informed than actual experts.
 
Have you been tested for Froment's sign?
 
Hi SteamKing. Wiki says Froment's sign is a specific test of the wrist (cubital tunnel syndrome is happens at the elbow) It references to "Ulnar Nerve - Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics" in which they talk about how "division of ulnar nerve at wrist results in paralysis of all small muscles of hand". I know Froment's sign is to do with paralysis of the adductor pollicis muscle in your hand.

But there seem to be a lot of people that think Froment's sign does happen with cubital tunnel syndrome including departments and centers of Neurosurgery and consultant neurophisologists and such. Also found clinical trials where they find Froment's in people with cubital tunnel syndrome. But I can't seem to find on the internet a debate on it.

Hi Berkeman. My doctor didn't test for Froment's sign but it is easy to test yourself - when you try to hold a piece of card between you thumb and index finger in a pinch grip your thumb bends up and your pinch grip is weakened. By the time of the nerve conduction tests and seeing the specialist my symptons had improved and I didn't have Froment's sign any more and the nerve conduction tests said I had serious compression of the ulnar nerve at the elbow and so cubital tunnel syndrome.
 
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If you haven't actually been diagnosed with something, self diagnosis is the same as none. We don't diagnose, we don't comment on a diagnosis, sorry. We don't know anything about you. You say you are searching online for people to comment, sorry, that's not something we do here. I suggest you ask these questions of your doctor.

I hope you get better soon.
 
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