What symptoms are indicative of DVT during the Homan's sign test?

• A. Swelling of the foot
• B. Pain in the ankle
• C. Calf pain with forced dorsiflexion
• D. Redness of the toe

Answer: (C)

The presence of calf pain with forced dorsiflexion is a classic symptom observed during the Homan's sign test, which is a physical examination maneuver used to assess for deep vein thrombosis (DVT). In this test, the examiner flexes the patient's foot upward (dorsiflexion), which may elicit pain in the calf region if a thrombus is present in the deep veins of the leg. This pain is considered significant because it correlates with inflammation and irritation of the veins caused by thrombosis.

Understanding the mechanics of the Homan's sign helps clarify why this symptom is specifically indicative of DVT. When thrombi form in the deep veins, they can cause irritation of surrounding tissues; the dorsiflexion stretches these tissues, leading to discomfort or pain if DVT is present.

Other symptoms, such as swelling of the foot or pain in the ankle, can be associated with various conditions but are not specific indicators of DVT when performing the Homan’s sign test. Redness of the toe, while it can indicate other complications, does not relate directly to the assessment of DVT during this test. Thus, calf pain during forced dorsiflexion is the hallmark symptom that supports the suspicion of a deep