What sensation is typically experienced when Tinel's sign is elicited?

When Tinel's sign is elicited, the sensation typically experienced is a feeling of "pins and needles," also known as paresthesia. This occurs when a healthcare professional lightly taps over a nerve, which stimulates it and can prompt a response in the form of tingling sensations in the areas innervated by that nerve. This response is indicative of nerve irritation or damage, particularly in conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome or nerve entrapment syndromes.

The sensation of "pins and needles" is a classic diagnostic tool used to assess the integrity and functional status of peripheral nerves. Other sensations such as pain in the joint, numbness in the limb, or burning sensation in the skin may not specifically correlate with Tinel's sign, making the identification of paresthesia the most relevant and accurate outcome for this test.