Hoffmann's reflex

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Hoffmann's reflex

Hoffmann's reflex (Hoffmann's sign, sometimes simply "Hoffmann's", also finger flexor reflex)

exercise training.[3]

Procedure

The Hoffmann's reflex test itself involves loosely holding the middle finger and flicking the fingernail downward, allowing the middle finger to flick upward reflexively. A positive response is seen when there is flexion and adduction of the thumb on the same hand.[4] Eg. in hypertonia, the tips of other fingers flex and the thumb flexes and adducts.

Interpretations

A positive Hoffmann's reflex and finger jerks suggest hypertonia, but can occur in healthy individuals, and are not useful signs in isolation. In cerebellar diseases, the reflexes may be pendular, and muscle contraction and relaxation tend to be slow, but these are not sensitive or specific to cerebellar signs.[4][5]

Comparisons to Babinski sign

Hoffmann's sign is often considered the

Babinski sign test.[6]
Hoffmann's reflex is often erroneously confused with Babinski's. However the two reflexes are quite different, and should not be equated with each other.

A positive

Babinski sign is considered a pathological sign of upper motor neuron disease except for infants, in whom it is normal,[7]
whereas a positive Hoffmann's sign can be present in an entirely normal patient. A positive Hoffmann's sign in the normal patients is more commonly found in those who are naturally hyper-reflexive (e.g. 3+ reflexes). A positive Hoffmann's sign is a worrisome finding of a disease process if its presence is asymmetrical, or has an acute onset.

Another significant difference between Hoffmann's reflex and the Babinski sign is their mechanism of reflex. Hoffmann's reflex is a deep tendon reflex (spindle fibre) with a monosynaptic reflex pathway in

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
.

See also

  • Cervical spondylosis

References

  1. ^ P. Hoffmann. Über eine Methode, den Erfolg einer Nervennaht zu beurteilen. Medizinische Klinik, March 28, 1915b, 11 (13): 359-360.
  2. Who Named It?
  3. S2CID 24197649
    .
  4. ^ a b Hoffman reflex - A complete guide - MedicosNotes.com
  5. ISBN 9780702047299
    .
  6. S2CID 22166615
    .
  7. ^ New York University School of Medicine. Deep Tendon Reflexes. URL: http://endeavor.med.nyu.edu/neurosurgery/reflexes.html Archived 2006-10-15 at the Wayback Machine. Accessed November 27, 2005.
  8. PMID 21250238
    .

External links
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