Physical examination maneuver

Physical Exam

Stemmer Sign

also known as Kaposi-Stemmer sign
🎬
Video coming September 2026

How to Perform

Attempt to pick up and lift a fold of skin on the dorsum of the base (proximal phalanx) of the second toe between your thumb and index finger, comparing with the other foot and with a normal site. The positive sign is the inability to pinch and lift the skin fold, or a thickened fold that will not tent; skin that lifts easily into a thin fold is a negative sign.

How to Interpret

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References

  • Goss JA, Greene AK. Sensitivity and Specificity of the Stemmer Sign for Lymphedema: A Clinical Lymphoscintigraphic Study. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2019;7(6):e2295. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000002295. PMID 31624689. PMC6635205 (open access, CC BY-NC-ND).
  • Stemmer R. Ein klinisches Zeichen zur Fruh- und Differentialdiagnose des Lymphodems. Vasa. 1976;5:261-262.

Related Diagnoses

Lymphedema

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