Spine
Neurological
Evidence: confirmed
Ankle Clonus Test Special Test
Orthopedic Physical Examination & Clinical Assessment Guide
What is it used for?
- Screening for Upper Motor Neuron Lesions (Hyper-reflexia).
How to Perform
- Action: Quickly and forcefully dorsiflex the patient's foot and hold it there.
Interpretation of Results
- Positive Test: Rhythmic, beating oscillations (foot pulses against hand) > 3 beats.
Clinical Context & Limitations
The Ankle Clonus Test should be considered as one component of a comprehensive musculoskeletal assessment. No single special test has perfect diagnostic accuracy; thus, clinical decision-making should integrate test results with patient-reported symptoms, mechanism of injury, functional impairment, and relevant imaging.
Clinicians should be aware of potential false-positive results in patients with pain sensitisation, muscle guarding, or poor relaxation. For the Spine region, combining the Ankle Clonus Test with complementary examination tests significantly improves overall diagnostic confidence.
References
- Magee, D. J. (2021). Orthopedic Physical Assessment.
