Which of the following best describes the Bakody sign?

• A. Worsening of radicular symptoms with shoulder abduction
• B. No change with shoulder abduction
• C. Relief of radicular symptoms with shoulder abduction
• D. Relief of neck pain with shoulder abduction

Answer: (C)

Bakody sign is positive when lifting the arm and placing the hand on the head relieves radiating arm pain. This position reduces traction and tension on the cervical nerve roots and can widen the neural foramina, decreasing compression of a affected nerve root. Because radicular pain from cervical nerve root compression tends to improve with reduced nerve tension, this relief points toward cervical radiculopathy rather than a primary neck or shoulder problem. If the symptoms are purely neck pain or from a shoulder pathology, shoulder abduction typically won’t produce this relief.