Final answer:
Bakody’s sign is a clinical test used to indicate cervical nerve root compression when a patient experiences relief from neck and arm pain upon placing their hand on top of their head.
Step-by-step explanation:
Bakody’s sign, also known as Bakody’s maneuver, is a test used in the clinical setting to assess nerve root compression or irritation in the cervical spine (neck area). The sign is demonstrated when a patient with suspected cervical radiculopathy (nerve pain radiating from the neck) experiences relief from symptoms by placing the hand of the affected side on top of the head. This position may reduce tension on the nerve roots, thereby decreasing pain. It is considered a positive Bakody’s sign if the patient’s symptoms improve with this maneuver, suggesting the involvement of the cervical nerve roots. It is important to distinguish this sign from other neurological tests such as the Babinski sign, which is a different reflex test indicating an upper motor neuron (UMN) lesion.