Froments Sign Orthoteers

Description: Brief bio of Jules Froment and account of Froment's sign - we hold out a folded newspaper to the patient; he is asked to pull it hard with the strong hand and then with the affected hand, while we pull it fairly firmly away. This is what is observed: on the healthy side the thumb is in contact with the object gripped all the way along-the distal phalanx is extended or only slightly flexed. On the paralysed side the thumb resembles a flying buttress, the distal phalanx is markedly flexed and no matter what force is used it only holds the object by the very tip of the pulp. Very often there is a gap between the thumb and the newspaper, or, to be more exact, between the thumb and the side of the palm. (It is necessary to pull hard: the grip with the fixed thumb is only pathological when the grip is forcible).