What indicates a positive Stemmer's sign?

A positive Stemmer's sign is identified when there is difficulty in grasping the skin on the dorsal aspect of the second toe or the second finger. This test is primarily used in the assessment of lymphedema.

In this context, a positive result, indicating the presence of lymphedema, correlates with the ability to grasp a lump of tissue, which suggests that there is significant swelling or thickening of the skin and underlying tissues. The inability to pinch this area would signify that the skin is affected by lymphedema and is no longer elastic, leading to the characteristic "lumpy" feel of the tissue.

In contrast, options such as grasping thin skin or experiencing pain upon pinch do not specifically indicate the thickening associated with lymphedema, nor do they correlate to the established criteria for ensuring a proper clinical assessment of Stemmer's sign.