Genslen Symptom

Henslen's symptom: understanding and clinical significance

The Henslen sign, also known as the Henslen test, is one of many clinical tests used in the field of orthopedics and physical therapy. This test is named after the German surgeon Friedrich Jochim Gaenslen, who first described it in 1917.

The Henslen sign is a simple but effective procedure that is used to test for dysfunction and pain in the lumbar region. It can be a useful tool for diagnosing various conditions such as lumbar spondylosis, discogenic pain, sciatica and other spinal disorders.

To perform the Henslen test, the patient lies on his back on the testing table, with one of his legs hanging off the table. The physician then actively lifts the patient's other leg, applying force to the knee joint. Pain, sensitivity and limitations in movement may indicate the presence of pathology in the lumbar region.

The basic idea of ​​the Haenslen test is that when the patient's leg is raised to a position close to horizontal, there is an increase in the moment effect on the lumbar vertebrae, which can cause increased pain or discomfort in the patient. If symptoms are observed, this may indicate the presence of structural changes or inflammatory processes in the lumbar spine.

The Haenslen test may be useful in combination with other clinical methods and diagnostic tools such as radiography, MRI or CT. It allows the doctor to collect additional information about the condition of the patient's spine and determine the most effective treatment methods.

It is important to note that the Henslen sign is not the exclusive indicator of spinal pathology. Other factors such as medical history, clinical symptoms, and results of other tests should be considered when interpreting test results.

In conclusion, the Haenslen sign is a valuable clinical tool that helps clinicians detect and diagnose spinal pathological conditions. It is part of a comprehensive approach to evaluating patients with low back pain and can help determine the most effective treatments.