Hoffman-Tinel sign. The realities.

The Hoffman-Tinel sign, although originally described by Paul Hoffman, is commonly referred to as the Tinel sign. It is one of the most commonly used tests in the clinical evaluation of periperhal nerves. The sign is used in the diagnosis of compression neuropathies, such as carpal and cubital tunnel syndromes, but it is also useful in the diagnosis of a variety of neurological maladies. Despite controversy, the Hoffman-Tinel sign remains important in the diagnosis of peripheral neuropathies and for the evaluation of the regenerating nerve after injury.