What is Homan's sign used to diagnose?

• A. Arthritis
• B. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
• C. Plantar fasciitis
• D. Gout

Answer: (B)

Homan's sign is specifically used to help diagnose deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The test involves the clinician dorsiflexing the foot while observing for pain in the calf. If pain is experienced in the calf upon dorsiflexion, it may indicate the presence of a thrombus in the deep veins. While this sign is not definitive and can result in false positives, it remains a clinical tool historically used in assessing patients who may have DVT, especially in settings where venous ultrasound or other diagnostic imaging may not be immediately available.

The other conditions listed—arthritis, plantar fasciitis, and gout—are associated with different symptoms and diagnostic approaches. Arthritis involves joint inflammation and is assessed through a different clinical examination, imaging, and laboratory tests. Plantar fasciitis is characterized by heel pain and is diagnosed through history and physical examination focused on foot mechanics. Gout, a type of inflammatory arthritis, is typically diagnosed through the observation of crystal deposition in joint fluid or elevated uric acid levels. Each of these conditions has distinct pathologies and requires alternative diagnostic criteria or examinations, making Homan's sign irrelevant in those contexts.