Figure 2-9. Triceps jerk with arms folded.
(c) Plantar (Babinski) reflex. Lightly stimulate the outer margin of the
sole of the foot to get this reflex. Perform the reflex check in this manner:
1 Grasp the ankle with your left hand.
2 Use a blunt point and moderate pressure and stroke the sole of
the foot near its lateral border. Stroke from the heel toward the ball of the foot where
the course should curve across the ball of the foot to the medial side, following the
bases of the toes.
3 A normal reflex is for the patient to have plantar flexion of all his
toes.
4 A completely abnormal reflex is indicated if there is dorsiflexion
(turning upward) of the big toes, fanning of all toes, turning upward of the ankle, or
flexion (bending) of the knee and hip.
NOTE:
Those patients who are extremely ticklish may have a slightly abnormal
reflex.
MD0572
2-12