hung up reflexes

Q: Woltman sign, also known as "hung-up" deep tendon reflexes on clinical examination is a sign of? (select one) 

A) Hypothyroidism 
B) Hyperthyroidism 


Answer: A 

"hung-up" deep tendon reflexes on clinical examination are due to delayed muscle relaxation - and is a frequent finding in myopathy secondary to hypothyroidism. It is more evident in severe hypothyroidism and is considered a classic sign of this disease. 

(Reference has a video demonstration included. Click on the link)

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2492977/


#physicalexam
#endocrine
#musculoskeletal


Reference: 

Cyriac S, d'Souza SC, Lunawat D, Shivananda P, Swaminathan M. A classic sign of hypothyroidism: a video demonstration. CMAJ. 2008;179(4):387. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2492977/