Abstract
Illustrated by two different cases the importance of the flexion reflex as a diagnostic tool is discussed. It is emphasised that the flexion reflex has more qualities than withdrawal in defence only. In the patient with a long-standing paraplegia a disturbance of the balance between flexion reflex and stretch reflex is of clinical importance.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Babinski, J (1898). Du phénomène des orteils et de sa valeur sémiologique. Semaine médÃcale, 18, 321–322.
Brondgeest (1866). Disquissitiones de Tonus musculorum. Thesis, Utrecht.
Collier, J (1899). An investigation upon the plantar reflex, with reference to the significance of its variations under pathological conditions, including an enquiry into the aetiology of acquired pes cavus. Brain, 22, 71–99.
Collier, J (1904). The effects of total transverse lesion of the spinal cord in man. Brain, 2J, 38–63.
Dollfus, P, Holderbach, G L, Husser, J M & Jacob-Chia, D . Must appendicitis be still considered as a rare complication in paraplegia? Paraplegia, 11, 306–309.
Granit, R (1966). Charles Scott Sherrington: An appraisal. Nelson and Sons.
Harpuder, K (1962). Proceedings of Clinical Spinal Cord Injury, Veterans Administration, p. 32.
Kugelberg, E, Eklund, K & Grimsby, L (1960). Brain, 83, 394.
Wanebo, H J, Webb, E & Combs, R (1965). California Medicine, 103, 193–197.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Pool, G. The flexion reflex as a diagnostic tool. Spinal Cord 18, 392–394 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1038/sc.1980.68
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sc.1980.68