Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesTriggersDiagnosisTreatmentFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Triggers
Diagnosis
Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have been told that the electrical shock-like sensation that runs down your back, arms, or legs is Lhermitte’s sign, you may be concerned about what this means for you.
This can occur with a number of neurological conditions, and while it is most closely associated withmultiple sclerosis (MS), you may experience Lhermitte’s sign if you have any problem that affects your cervical (upper) spine.
Despite being called “Lhermitte’s sign,” the first people who described this phenomenon were Pierre Marie and Chatelin in 1917. Jean Lhermitte was a French neurologist who published an article on the subject in 1924, which led to wider knowledge about the symptom.
Symptoms of Lhermitte’s Sign
Lhermitte’s sign is a sense of electricity that shoots down the spine, often out through the arms and legs as well. It is described as uncomfortable or unusual but is rarely painful.
You may spontaneously experience it, or you may feel it during your physical examination. If you are being evaluated for a neurological disease, your healthcare provider may ask you to flex your neck forward as part of your examination to identify Lhermitte’s sign.
This sign typically occurs intermittently, and you might not experience Lhermitte’s sign every time you bend your neck.
The symptoms will last for a few seconds at a time, and they can be worrisome if you don’t know why you are having these sensations.
Causes of Lhermitte’s Sign
In addition to MS, Lhermitte’s sign can be the result of many other problems that affect the cervical spinal cord.These include:
Triggers of Lhermitte’s Sign
People who have conditions that can cause Lhermitte’s sign may have additional triggers such as:
Diagnosis of Lhermitte’s Sign
If you have Lhermitte’s sign, your healthcare provider will do a thorough evaluation to find the cause. The most important aspect of your medical evaluation is your medical history.
Any other complaints you have will direct your healthcare provider to the cause of your problem. For example, if you have double vision, this suggests that multiple sclerosis could be the cause. If you have joint pain, arthritis could be the cause.
Your physical examination is another very important aspect of the evaluation. Your healthcare provider can detect changes such as weakness, decreased sensation, reflex changes, and swelling in your neck to localize the area where the problem is coming from.
Diagnostic tests such as cervical spine MRI or lumbar puncture (LP, also called a spinal tap) can help identify the condition that is causing you to experience Lhermitte’s sign.
What Is a Spinal Tap?
MesquitaFMS / Getty Images
Treatment of Lhermitte’s Sign
Lhermitte’s sign isn’t curable, but treatment can help you manage your symptoms. Treatment is focused on two things:
Lifestyle Changes
Certain lifestyle and noninvasive approaches can help prevent symptoms, including:
It’s important to have a therapist assist you in learning these approaches because some exercises can actually make Lhermitte’s sign worse.
Medical Interventions
Medical interventions may be necessary if simple lifestyle modifications are not enough to manage your symptoms. Examples include:
Medications
Certain medications can help reduce discomfort if you have prolonged symptoms, and can also reduce pain related to your neurological condition.
A Word From Verywell
If you have recurrent Lhermitte’s sign, the most important thing to keep in mind is that it is safe for you to move your neck and arms when the symptoms occur. However, since neck movements can trigger the electrical shock-like sensations, you may inadvertently begin to stiffen your arms or neck.
Also remember, it is always important to contact your healthcare provider to investigate the cause of this sign. Be sure to maintain regular exercise so that you don’t develop tightness of your neck and shoulder muscles as you are coping with your condition.
No. Lhermitte’s sign is most closely associated with multiple sclerosis, but it is not exclusive to MS. Lhermitte’s sign can also occur with cervical spine problems such as a herniated disk or as a delayed side effect of radiation treatment.
Lhermitte’s sign feels like a short and intensive electric-shock-like sensation that starts at the neck and travels down the spine. The sensation can sometimes also travel down the arms and legs.Lhermitte’s sign is not painful but can be uncomfortable. It may feel like a wave going through your entire body.
Lhermitte’s sign feels like a short and intensive electric-shock-like sensation that starts at the neck and travels down the spine. The sensation can sometimes also travel down the arms and legs.
Lhermitte’s sign is not painful but can be uncomfortable. It may feel like a wave going through your entire body.
There isn’t a cure, but avoiding triggers and trying available treatments can help manage the symptoms that may come and go.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Beckmann Y, Özakbaş S, Bülbül NG, et al.Reassessment of Lhermitte’s sign in multiple sclerosis.Acta Neurol Belg.2015;115(4):605-608. doi:10.1007/s13760-015-0466-4Chu DT, Hautecoeur P, Santoro JD.Jacques Jean Lhermitte and Lhermitte’s sign.Mult Scler. 2018:1352458518820628. doi:10.1177/1352458518820628Khare S, Seth D.Lhermitte’s sign: The current status.Ann Indian Acad Neurol.2015;18(2):154-156. doi:10.4103/0972-2327.150622Multiple Sclerosis Trust.Lhermitte’s sign.Harvard Health Publishing.Drugs that relieve nerve pain.Teoli D, Rocha Cabrero F, Ghassemzadeh S.Lhermitte Sign. 2021. In:StatPearls[Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Beckmann Y, Özakbaş S, Bülbül NG, et al.Reassessment of Lhermitte’s sign in multiple sclerosis.Acta Neurol Belg.2015;115(4):605-608. doi:10.1007/s13760-015-0466-4Chu DT, Hautecoeur P, Santoro JD.Jacques Jean Lhermitte and Lhermitte’s sign.Mult Scler. 2018:1352458518820628. doi:10.1177/1352458518820628Khare S, Seth D.Lhermitte’s sign: The current status.Ann Indian Acad Neurol.2015;18(2):154-156. doi:10.4103/0972-2327.150622Multiple Sclerosis Trust.Lhermitte’s sign.Harvard Health Publishing.Drugs that relieve nerve pain.Teoli D, Rocha Cabrero F, Ghassemzadeh S.Lhermitte Sign. 2021. In:StatPearls[Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Beckmann Y, Özakbaş S, Bülbül NG, et al.Reassessment of Lhermitte’s sign in multiple sclerosis.Acta Neurol Belg.2015;115(4):605-608. doi:10.1007/s13760-015-0466-4Chu DT, Hautecoeur P, Santoro JD.Jacques Jean Lhermitte and Lhermitte’s sign.Mult Scler. 2018:1352458518820628. doi:10.1177/1352458518820628Khare S, Seth D.Lhermitte’s sign: The current status.Ann Indian Acad Neurol.2015;18(2):154-156. doi:10.4103/0972-2327.150622Multiple Sclerosis Trust.Lhermitte’s sign.Harvard Health Publishing.Drugs that relieve nerve pain.Teoli D, Rocha Cabrero F, Ghassemzadeh S.Lhermitte Sign. 2021. In:StatPearls[Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022.
Beckmann Y, Özakbaş S, Bülbül NG, et al.Reassessment of Lhermitte’s sign in multiple sclerosis.Acta Neurol Belg.2015;115(4):605-608. doi:10.1007/s13760-015-0466-4
Chu DT, Hautecoeur P, Santoro JD.Jacques Jean Lhermitte and Lhermitte’s sign.Mult Scler. 2018:1352458518820628. doi:10.1177/1352458518820628
Khare S, Seth D.Lhermitte’s sign: The current status.Ann Indian Acad Neurol.2015;18(2):154-156. doi:10.4103/0972-2327.150622
Multiple Sclerosis Trust.Lhermitte’s sign.
Harvard Health Publishing.Drugs that relieve nerve pain.
Teoli D, Rocha Cabrero F, Ghassemzadeh S.Lhermitte Sign. 2021. In:StatPearls[Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022.
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