Comparable Sign

A comparable sign is a combination of pain, stiffness, and/or spasm during an examination that is comparable to the patient's symptoms. One common error made during evaluation with special tests is the attention given to any discomfort or pain, rather than attempting to identify the pain/discomfort related to the patient's complaint (concordant/comparable sign). Many special tests purposefully test tissue limits and are at least mildly uncomfortable for every individual. Basing your assessment on positive tests that resulted in "concordant/comparable signs" will improve your chances of arriving at the correct diagnosis.