A patient exhibits hyperactive reflexes in the lower extremities. What technique should be used to assess for ankle clonus?

Assessing for ankle clonus involves carefully evaluating the reflex response of the ankle when the foot is dorsiflexed. The technique of sharply dorsiflexing the foot while maintaining this position and supporting the knee is crucial in eliciting clonus. When the foot is positioned in dorsiflexion, if clonus is present, there will be rhythmic, involuntary contractions that occur in response to the stretch of the ankle muscles. This rhythmic contraction is a key indicator of neuroirritability and can signal underlying neurological conditions.

Using this method helps the examiner determine if the reflex pathways are intact or if there are abnormalities present, such as upper motor neuron lesions. The sharp action of dorsiflexion stretches the calf muscles and can provoke the clonus response if the neurological condition allows it to happen.

Other techniques mentioned, such as gently tapping the knee, checking for plantar reflexes, or assessing the range of motion of the ankle, would not effectively elicit or assess ankle clonus. These methods serve different purposes in neurological assessments but do not specifically target the clonus reflex mechanism.