Tinel’s Sign / Percussion Sign at the Ankle

Execution:

  1. Patient is in supine position
  2. The examiner repeatedly taps onto the anterior tibial branch of the peroneal nerve laterally to the medial malleolus
  3. Then, the examiner repeatedly taps onto the tibial nerve posteriorly to the medial malleolus

 

Positive Outcome: Tingling, paresthesia or pain elicited are indicative of peripheral nerve injury. Entrapment of the tibial nerve posteriorly to the medial malleolus might be indicative of tarsal tunnel syndrome

Study Reliability Sn Sp LR+ LR-
Oloff et al. (1998) NA 58 NA Na NA