Introduction
The plantar reflex (PR) is one of the most useful reflex in the body;. It is basically a polysynaptic superficial reflex, designed to withdraw the stimulated part, i.e., the foot from a potentially dangerous stimulus. Joseph Babinski, a French neurologist, first differentiated between a normal and a pathologic plantar response and described the Babinski sign in 1896
The Babinski’s sign
It is seen in patients with pyramidal tract dysfunction and is characterised by a dorsiflexion or extension of the great toe with or without fanning or abduction of the other toes. The fully developed response is characterised by
x
1.True Babinski sign
It includes all the components of the fully developed extensor plantar response.link
2.Minimal Babinski sign
It is characterised by contraction of the hamstring muscles and the tensor fasciae latae which can be detected by palpation of the thigh.
3.Exaggerated Babinski sign :
It can either be in the form of 'flexor spasm' or 'extensor spasm', depending upon the muscles i.e. whether flexors or extensors, have excess of tone.
Flexor spasms can occur in the following conditions
Flexor spasms can occur in patients with bilateral UMN lesion at the supraspinal or spinal cord level. Extensor spasms can occur in patients with bilateral corticospinal tract lesion but preserved posterior column function.
4.Spontaneous Babinski sign
This is seen in infants and children following manipulation of the foot. It is seen in patients with extensive pyramidal tract lesions. Passive flexion of the hip and knee or passive extension of the knee may produce a positive Babinski sign in adults
5. Pseudo Babinski sign
6.Crossed extensor response/bilateral Babinski sign
This is seen in cases with bilateral cerebral lesions
Unilateral stimulation will bilateral Babinski in patients with bilateral cerebral disease and spinal cord disease.r spinal cord disease.
7.Tonic Babinski reflex
It is characterised by a slow prolonged contraction of the toe extensors. observed with combined frontal lobe lesions and extrapyramidal involvement.
This is seen in frontal lobe lesions and extrapyramidal involvement.
8. Inversion of plantar reflex :
If the short flexors of the toe are paralysed or flexor tendons are severed accidentally, an extensor response may be observed
The plantar reflex (PR) is one of the most useful reflex in the body;. It is basically a polysynaptic superficial reflex, designed to withdraw the stimulated part, i.e., the foot from a potentially dangerous stimulus. Joseph Babinski, a French neurologist, first differentiated between a normal and a pathologic plantar response and described the Babinski sign in 1896
The Babinski’s sign
It is seen in patients with pyramidal tract dysfunction and is characterised by a dorsiflexion or extension of the great toe with or without fanning or abduction of the other toes. The fully developed response is characterised by
- Dorsiflexion of the ankle
- Flexion of the hip Knee joint
- Slight abduction of the thigh, leading to a withdrawal of the leg on plantar stimulation.
x
1.True Babinski sign
It includes all the components of the fully developed extensor plantar response.link
2.Minimal Babinski sign
It is characterised by contraction of the hamstring muscles and the tensor fasciae latae which can be detected by palpation of the thigh.
3.Exaggerated Babinski sign :
It can either be in the form of 'flexor spasm' or 'extensor spasm', depending upon the muscles i.e. whether flexors or extensors, have excess of tone.
Flexor spasms can occur in the following conditions
- Spinal cord disease
- Bilateral upper motor neuron lesion at a supraspinal level
- Multiple sclerosis
- Subacute combined degeneration of the cord
Flexor spasms can occur in patients with bilateral UMN lesion at the supraspinal or spinal cord level. Extensor spasms can occur in patients with bilateral corticospinal tract lesion but preserved posterior column function.
4.Spontaneous Babinski sign
This is seen in infants and children following manipulation of the foot. It is seen in patients with extensive pyramidal tract lesions. Passive flexion of the hip and knee or passive extension of the knee may produce a positive Babinski sign in adults
5. Pseudo Babinski sign
6.Crossed extensor response/bilateral Babinski sign
This is seen in cases with bilateral cerebral lesions
Unilateral stimulation will bilateral Babinski in patients with bilateral cerebral disease and spinal cord disease.r spinal cord disease.
7.Tonic Babinski reflex
It is characterised by a slow prolonged contraction of the toe extensors. observed with combined frontal lobe lesions and extrapyramidal involvement.
This is seen in frontal lobe lesions and extrapyramidal involvement.
8. Inversion of plantar reflex :
If the short flexors of the toe are paralysed or flexor tendons are severed accidentally, an extensor response may be observed
