Abadie's Sign
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
Abadie's sign is a clinical indicator of tabes dorsalis characterized by the loss of deep pressure pain in the Achilles tendon. While a healthy individual experiences pain under moderate pressure, patients with this condition can tolerate significantly higher loads without discomfort.
Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)
ABADIE'S SIGN (Abadie), named after the author who described it in cases of tabes dorsalis. It consists of the Achilles tendon becoming painless upon pressure. In a normal person, tenderness of the tendon is elicited by pressure applied directly behind the ankle with a light dorsal flexion of the foot at a load of 10 kg, whereas in tabes dorsalis, 20 kg is tolerated without pain.
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“Abadie's Sign.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/abadies-sign/