Howship-Romberg sign

Last revised by Daniel J Bell on 10 Jan 2019

The Howship-Romberg sign refers to obturator nerve neuropathy due to compression of the obturator nerve by an obturator hernia. Patients present with pain and paresthesia along the inner aspect of the thigh, down to the knee.

History and etymology

Named after Moritz Heinrich Romberg (1795-1873) 2, a German neurologist, and John Howship (1781-1841) 3, a British surgeon, who described this sign.

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