This site is intended for healthcare professionals

CPD
CPD
Pro
Pro
Sign in
Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Go to /pro/cpd-dashboard page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. CPD dashboard

Go to /account/subscription-details page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. Upgrade to Pro

Ankle jerk

Authoring team

The ankle jerk reflex is supplied by L5 and S1 nerve roots.

The procedure for eliciting the reflex is:

  • position the patient's leg so that the knee is bent and the thigh is externally rotated
  • let the tendon hammer fall onto the Achilles tendon
  • an intact reflex will result in contraction of the gastrocnemius muscle and plantar flexion

If this reflex is not present then ask the patient to clasp and interlock his fingers together and then pull them hard apart. At this point, examine the reflex again.

Related pages

Create an account to add page annotations

Create a free account

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.