JOHN THOMAS SIGN: IS IT HELPFUL TO DETERMINE THE LOWER LIMB FRACTURE?

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the helpfulness of John Thomas sign in determination of lower limb fractures. METHODS: Plain pelvic radiographs of 500 men patients with single fracture in the lower limb were evaluated. Positive sign was defined as direction of the penis shadow to the fractured limb. RESULTS: John Thomas sign was positive in 87.8% of cases with the strongest positive correlation in patients with hip fractures. JT sign was positive in more than half of cases with fractures of other parts of the lower limb. CONCLUSION: John Thomas sing can be helpful to predict the fractured lower limb even fractures of the foot bones.

Key words: Penis; John Thomas Sign; Lower limb; Fracture