Positive signs of functional weakness

Abstract

Functional (conversion) neurological symptoms represent as one of the most common situations faced by neurologists in their everyday practice. Among them, acute or subacute functional weakness may mimic very prevalent conditions such as stroke or traumatic injury. Hence, accurate and reliable positive signs of functional weakness are valuable for obtaining timely diagnosis and treatment, making it possible to avoid unnecessary or invasive tests and procedures up to thrombolysis. We therefore present here a brief overview of the positive neurological signs of functional weakness available, both in the lower and in the upper limbs, moving from a historical perspective to their relevance in current clinical practice.

Keywords: Abduction finger sign; Abductor sign; Drift-without-pronation sign; Functional neurological symptoms; Hoover's sign; Weakness.