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Howship–Romberg sign
System: Abdominal & Digestive Signs · All abdominal & digestive signs
What it is — and how it is elicited
Pain and tingling running down the inner thigh to the knee when the leg is extended, abducted and rotated inward.
What a positive finding suggests
Associated with an obturator hernia pressing on the obturator nerve.
◈ Behind the name
John Howship (1781–1841), English surgeon, and Moritz Romberg (1795–1873), German neurologist.
Related signs — Abdominal & Digestive Signs
Browse the H section of the A–Z list or return to the Clinical Signs hub.
Please note: This page is an educational reference about clinical examination signs. A clinical sign supports — and never replaces — a full clinical evaluation, examination and appropriate testing. A sign being present does not by itself prove a diagnosis, and an absent sign does not rule one out. If you have symptoms that worry you, see a health professional.