@article {Wiblinpractneurol-2016-001494, author = {Louise Wiblin and Joe Guadagno}, title = {Useless hand of Oppenheim: how to understand it}, elocation-id = {practneurol-2016-001494}, year = {2017}, doi = {10.1136/practneurol-2016-001494}, publisher = {BMJ Publishing Group Ltd}, abstract = {Hermann Oppenheim described the {\textquoteleft}Useless Hand{\textquoteright} in 1911 as a classical but uncommon presentation of multiple sclerosis, in which a hand loses useful function due to proprioceptive loss, with relatively preserved motor function. Light touch perception may be subjectively altered or can be relatively intact. The lesion is (usually) a demyelinating plaque in the posterior columns of the cervical spinal cord. Depending on its location, it may affect one limb, or if more central, may produce a bilateral (if asymmetrical) picture. This article reviews a clinical case, historical background, pathophysiology as well as examination tips to aid its recognition.}, issn = {1474-7758}, URL = {https://pn.bmj.com/content/early/2017/08/04/practneurol-2016-001494}, eprint = {https://pn.bmj.com/content/early/2017/08/04/practneurol-2016-001494.full.pdf}, journal = {Practical Neurology} }