Monday, June 22, 2009

Plantar Response - Other than Babinski

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Other than Babinski sign, what other signs do you know ?

In upper motor neuron lesion, the big toe will dorsiflex with the following :

Gordon reflex – On applying pressure to the muscle of the calf

Oppenheim sign – on applying heavy pressure with thumb and index finger to the shin, stroking downwords from below the knee down to the ankle

Bing reflex – when the dorsum of the toe is pricked with a pin

Schaefer reflex – pinching the Achilles tendon sufficiently to cause pain

Chadock reflex – on stroking the lateral side of the foot, beginning below the malleolus and extending anteriorly along the dorsum of the foot to the base of the big toe

Gonda reflex – grasping the small toes between the fingers, slowly and forcibly flexing the toe and then suddenly releasing the toe


I know an MRCP examiner who likes to ask this question. Try practicing it !  Physical examination is the most crucial step in Neurology.


1 comment:

omara said...

how do you elecit plantor response when the big toe is abscent?