Obturator hernia physical examination

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

• Physical signs of obturator hernia may not be immediately evident as they are operator dependent.
• Groin mass is seen in few cases.
• Howship-Romberg sign
  • The Howship-Romberg sign is suggestive of an obturator hernia, exacerbated by thigh extension, medial rotation and adduction. It is characterized by lancilating pain in the medial thigh/obturator distribution, extending to the knee; caused by hernia compression of the Obturator nerve.
• Compression of Obturator Nerve may lead to absence of adductor reflex in the thigh in the presence of a positive Patellar reflex.This is called Hannington-Kiff sign.^[1]
• Hannington-Kiff sign is more specific than Howship-Romberg sign.^[2]