Kernig's sign

Kernig's sign (after Waldemar Kernig (1840–1917), a Russian neurologist) is positive when the thigh is flexed at the hip and knee at 90 degree angles, and subsequent extension in the knee is painful (leading to resistance).[1] This may indicate subarachnoid hemorrhage or meningitis.[2] Patients may also show opisthotonus—spasm of the whole body that leads to legs and head being bent back and body bowed forward.[3]

Kernig's sign
Positive Kernig's sign in cerebrospinal meningitis
Differential diagnosissubarachnoid hemorrhage or meningitis

References
  1. Kernig VM (1882). "Ein Krankheitssymptom der acuten Meningitis". St Petersb Med Wochensch. 7: 398.
  2. O'Connor, Simon; Talley, Nicholas Joseph (2001). Clinical Examination: A Systematic Guide to Physical Diagnosis. Cambridge, MA: Blackwell Publishers. p. 363. ISBN 0-632-05971-0.
  3. Shahade, Arati; De Jesus, Orlando (2020), "Opisthotonus", StatPearls, Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing, PMID 32644596, retrieved 2021-01-10
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