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Jeanne's Sign (Ulnar)

Exams and Signs

Historical Overview

  • Jeanne’s sign was first described in 1915 by M. Jeanne.1

Description

  • Jeanne’s sign is a weak and unstable pinch with hyperextension of the thumb metacarpophalangeal (MP) joint.2

Pathophysiology

  • Jeanne’s sign arises from loss of the stabilizing force of the adductor muscle on the MP joint of the thumb.2

Instructions3

  1. Ask the patient to grasp a piece of paper between his/her thumb and index finger.
  2. Attempt to pull the paper from the patient.
  3. Observe patient for hyperextension of the thumb MP joint.

Variations

  • Not all sources explicitly state that the patient should grasp a piece of paper(see, for example, Tubiana4)

Related Signs and Tests

  • Froment’s sign1

Diagnostic Performance Characteristics

  • As a clinical sign, Jeanne’s sign is relevant to the medical condition of interest, but its diagnostic performance is often not evaluated in the same way as a diagnostic test. Further, Jeanne’s sign is not used as “stand-alone test” in clinical practice. Therefore, its diagnostic performance characteristics in isolation do not warrant significant investigation. 
Definition of Positive Result
  • A positive result occurs when the patient exhibits a weak and unstable pinch with hyperextension of the thumb MP joint.2
Definition of Negative Result
  • A negative result occurs when the patient does not exhibit a weak and unstable pinch with hyperextension of the thumb MP joint.2  
Comments and Pearls
  • Results may be more reliable if the examiner compares results in one thumb to that of the other.1
  • Jeanne’s sign frequently co-occurs with Froment’s sign.1
Diagnoses Associated with Exams and Signs
References
  1. Colditz J. Difference between Froment’s Sign And Jeanne’s Sign in Ulnar Palsy. Handlab. June 2013; Available at http://handlab.com/resources/clinical-pearl-25-froments-sign/.
  2. Doyle JR. Hand and Wrist (Orthopaedic Surgery Essentials Series). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2006.
  3. Roy S, Wolf S, Scalzitti D. The Rehabilitation Specialist's Handbook, Fourth Edition. Philadelphia: F A Davis, 2013.
  4. Tubiana R, Thomine J-M, Mackin E. Examination of the Hand and Wrist. New York: Informa Healthcare, 2009.
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