Ankle jerk reflex

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The ankle jerk reflex, also known as the Achilles reflex, occurs when the

dorsiflexed
. It is a type of stretch reflex that tests the function of the
gastrocnemius
muscle and the nerve that supplies it. A positive result would be the jerking of the foot towards its plantar surface. Being a deep tendon reflex, it is monosynaptic. It is also a stretch reflex. These are monosynaptic spinal segmental reflexes. When they are intact, integrity of the following is confirmed: cutaneous innervation, motor supply, and cortical input to the corresponding spinal segment.

Root value

This reflex is mediated by the S1 spinal segment of the spinal cord.[1]

Procedure and components

Ankle of the patient is relaxed. It is helpful to support the ball of the foot at least somewhat to put some tension in the Achilles tendon, but don’t completely

plantarflexion of the foot. The response is also graded into Grade 0-4 according to the reflex grading system.[2]

Absent ankle jerk

The Achilles

disk herniations at the L5—S1 level. A reduction in the ankle jerk reflex may also be indicative of peripheral neuropathy
.

Common causes

Rarer causes

Ankle clonus

Grade 4 ankle hyperreflexia is called ankle clonus. There is repetitive ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion on passive dorsiflexion of the foot by the examiner till the force applied by the examiner is withdrawn.

Causes

Any spinal cord lesions, be it traumatic, neoplastic, pyogenic, vascular above the level of S1 can cause clonus. This is because of the spasticity caused by the UMN type of injury causing hyperreflexia and clonus. Some other causes of clonus are

See also

References

  1. ^ "Medscape- Neurologic examination". Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  2. PMID 21250237
    . Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  3. ISBN 978-1-60547-239-3
    . Retrieved 4 July 2011.
  4. ^ "Diagnosis". Archived from the original on 9 June 2014. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
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