RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Measurement of the Achilles tendon reflex for the diagnosis of lumbosacral root compression syndromes.
JF Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry
JO J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP 791
OP 795
DO 10.1136/jnnp.45.9.791
VO 45
IS 9
A1 R E Rico
A1 E J Jonkman
YR 1982
UL http://jnnp.bmj.com/content/45/9/791.abstract
AB The Hoffmann reflex and the Achilles tendon reflex were measured in a group of 194 subjects suspected of having a lumbosacral root compression syndrome. The Achilles tendon reflex was elicited manually with a metal hammer. There was a high correlation between the H-M interval and the Achilles tendon reflex-M interval. The usefulness of the Achilles tendon reflex was evaluated in a selected sub-group of 61 patients with proven L5 or S1 root compression. Neither the H-reflex nor the Achilles tendon reflex appeared to be of any value in detecting L5 root compression. Both the H-reflex and the Achilles tendon reflex proved to be useful for diagnosis of S1 root compression syndromes, the latter being the more sensitive method.