This document discusses the Babinski sign and plantar reflex. It begins by defining the plantar reflex as the response to stimulation of the sole of the foot. It then describes Babinski's original 1896 observation of the pathological plantar reflex known as the Babinski sign, in which dorsiflexion of the toes occurs. The rest of the document covers the physiology and assessment of the plantar reflex and Babinski sign, variations, mimickers, and upper limb equivalents. It emphasizes that a positive Babinski sign indicates pyramidal tract dysfunction and underlying neurological disease.
1. PLANTAR REFLEX AND BABINSKI
SIGN
DHANANJAY GUPTA
DEPT. OF NEUROLOGY
MS RAMAIAH MEDICAL COLLEGE
2. SUPERFICIAL/ CUTANEOUS REFLEXES:
• Response to stimulation of skin/ mucous membrane
• d/b DTR
: these are polysynaptic
: slower response to stimulus
: longer latency
: fatigue easily
: usually abolished in pyramidal lesions
: U/L absence may be a sensitive indicator of CST lesion
10. The Virgin and Child with Two Angels, Andrea del Verrocchio :
11.
12.
13.
14. JOSEPH FRANCOIS FELIX BABINSKI:1896
• Brief paper of 28 lines (his longest paper!!)
• 'reflexe cutane plantaire' (cutaneous plantar reflex) in February
1896
• Described the sign for the first time
• Remarkable observations about this reflex
• Absence in certain states, hemiplegia/ paraplegia
15. I have observed that in some patients..
Stimulation of the sole on the healthy
side of a patient with hemiplegia or
lower limb monoplegia caused
withdrawal of the lower limb with
flexion of the toes on the metatarsal
bones. In contrast, the same stimulus
applied to the sole on the affected side
caused extension of the toes at the
metatarso-phalangeal joints, even in
patients who were unable to move their
toes voluntarily.
while flexion predominates in the last
16. Essentially two components
1. Phenomene des arteils : dorsiflexion
of the toes (1898)
2. Signe de l’eventail : fanning response
– abduction of toes (1903)
17. I had the opportunity to observe such a
brief alteration in a child of mine subject
to night terrors.
As I was attempting to comfort her I ran
my thumb lightly against the lateral
aspect of her sole as one does and
observed a definite Extensor response.
As soon as the paroxysm was over the
response reverted to flexor
Similar responses were described in
patient with Jaksonian fit and strychnine
posioning
20. PHYSIOLOGY:
• Polysynaptic reflex
• Normal defensive response to any painful stimulus
• UL are more under control of the brain
• LL show more of a reflex response
• Essentially a triple flexion response :
Flexion of thigh on pelvis
Of leg on the thigh
Of the foot on the leg
21. 1. PRE-REQUISITES:
• Entire leg exposed (not only socks!)
• Patient should be supine, knee extended
• Explain the patient
• Stroking of sole should not generate anxiety/ fear/ tickling
• Limb should remain floppy
22. 2. STIMULATION:
• Stimulate the plantar surface of foot, on the lateral aspect
• Far lateral side
• In the distribution of the S1/ sural nerve
• Begin near the heel and
• Go upwards at a deliberate pace, not very briskly
• Stop short of MTP joint to turn medially
• But stop short of base of the great toe
23.
24. 3. OBJECT FOR STIMULATION:
Applicator stick Reflex Hammer Thumb nail
25. 3. OBJECT FOR STIMULATION:
Babinski – Goose
quill
Henry Miller – Bentley
key
26. 4. STRENGTH OF STIMULATION:
• Firm enough to cause a consistent response
• Light enough not to cause undue discomfort/ pain
• Strong enough so as not to cause a grasp reflex
• Gentle enough so as not to cause withdrawal
*Eliciting a plantar reflex brings out the masochistic tendencies of the
examining doctors
**Every physician should undergo plantar stimulation in order to appreciate
the discomfort
27. 4. STRENGTH OF STIMULATION:
• Strength of stimulus also depends upon the degree of response
• In patients with no response – progressively firmer stimulus
may be requires
• In patients with strongly extensor response, only a touch of
fingers may be enough
• Babinski : observed extensor response when the wind blew
curtains across the feet of a spinal cord injury patient!
28. 5. NORMAL RESPONSE:
• Plantar flexion of the toes
• Inward curling of toes
• Plantar flexion of foot
• Triple flexion response
• Flexion of the TFL
29.
30. 6. BABINSKI RESPONSE:
• Extension of great toe - MTP
• Fanning/ abduction of toes
• Dorsiflexion of ankle
• Flexion of knee/ hip
• Slight abduction of thigh
• Leading to withdrawal of leg
31.
32. 3 RULES GOVERNING BABINSKI RESPONSE:
1. Upward movement of great toe is pathological only if a.w.
contraction of EHL
*The contraction of EHL can be seen/ felt on dorsum of foot
**Great toe may move up without contraction of the EHL as a
component of flexion reflex in general
33.
34. 3 RULES GOVERNING BABINSKI RESPONSE:
2. Contraction of EHL is pathological only if it occurs in
synchronously with reflex activity in other flexor muscles
*The contraction of tensor fascia lata and the hamstrings
**Can be seen/ felt at the lateral thigh
35.
36.
37. 3 RULES GOVERNING BABINSKI RESPONSE:
3. A true upgoing plantar response is reproducible, unlike the
voluntary withdrawal of the toes
*Ideally adapt the strength of stimulus to the patient
**helpful to stroke the lateral aspect of foot than the plantar
aspect
***stimulate the sole only partially rather than stroke fully till the
ball of toe
Volunatry withdrawal does not involve TFL
FATIGUE of EXTENSOR plantar is extremely rare
38. MYTHS REGARDING BABINSKI RESPONSE:
1. Site of stimulus
*A true Babinski can be elicited by stimulation anywhere on the
leg
**Though bet response is from the lateral aspect of foot
***Any stimulus is legitimate unless not applied distal to the ball
of toe
39. MYTHS REGARDING BABINSKI RESPONSE:
2. The movement should be the ‘first’
*Not necessarily
Sometimes a small voluntary action may precede the reflex
Sometimes a small downward movement may precede the
recruitment of great toe in the flexion synergy
40. MYTHS REGARDING BABINSKI RESPONSE:
3. In doubtful cases, fanning of toes is a useful measure
*Fanning of toes is only for historical interest
May also occur in normal individuals
Undue attention should not be paid to this
41. MYTHS REGARDING BABINSKI RESPONSE:
4. The movement of toe is quick
*usually it is quick, flicking motion
Though what is the definition of quick/ slow ??
Sometimes the upward movement may be slow, tonic –
“THE MAJESTIC RISE OF THE GREAT TOE”
42. NEONATE V/S ADULTS:
• Entire reflex synergy is much more brisk, as a part of
withdrawal to pain
• Toes are a part of this synergy
• Toes go up at the same time as the leg flexes
• As the child assumes upright posture, plantar becomes a
postural reflex
Anatomist : upgoing toe is extensor movement
Physiologist : flexor movement
43. ADULTS:
• As the pyramidal system matures, exerts more dominance over
spinal neurons
• Toes are no longer a part of flexion reflex synergy
• Becomes a purely local cutaneous/ segmental response
• Mediated by short toe flexors
• Flexion may predominate in great or little toe depending on
side stimulated
• Absence of flexion is not pathological, unless
• Marked difference between two sides
44. WHY MAXIMUM MOVEMENT AT GREAT TOE:
• Anatomical structure of MT-P joints
• Little toes cannot just move up enough
45. ROLE OF PYRAMIDAL TRACT/ SUPRASPINAL:
• Inhibit entire flexion synergy
• Inhibit participation of toe extensors
• Essential for normal ambulation
• Otherwise our legs and feet will have unnecessary flexion
response just from stumbling over a pebble
• Pyramidal dysfunction – restores neonatal response
• First to emerge is Babinski, others may re-emerge depending
on extensive disease
47. PYRIMIDAL DYSFUNCTION LEADING TO BS:
• Loss of disinhibition
• Flexion synergy becomes brisker
• Great toe is recruited in this response
• Is almost always a.w. some degree of weakness of toe
• May only be in form of difficulty in performing rapid foot
movements
48. ADVANTAGES OF BABINSKI SIGN:
• Most reliable
• Dependable
• Consistent signs
• Good inter-observer variability
• Indicates presence of organic neurological disease
49. LIMITATIONS OF BABINSKI SIGN:
1. d/b VOLUNTARY WITHDRAWAL
• Voluntary withdrawal usually a.w plantar flexion
• And not ankle dorsiflexion
• How to reduce withdrawal ?
Helps to explain and fore-warn the patient
Internal rotation of leg during toe extension indicates
recruitment of TFL
Pressure over the base of great toe inhibits withdrawal
Can use variations or the AUTO/SELF-BABINSKI
52. • Edouard Brissauds : Charcot’s pupil (1896)
• Described few days after
Babinski’s famous lecture
• Stimulation of lateral thigh
• Causes contraction of TFL
BRISSAUD’S REFLEX
54. LIMITATIONS OF BABINSKI SIGN:
2. Lack of BS in pyrimidal dysfunction
• Spinal shock – temporary inexcitability of spinal inter-neurons
• Cerebral shock
• LMN lesions in pathway to EHL
Radiculopathy
Peroneal nerve palsy
ALS, peripheral neuropathy
55. • Estonian neurologist
• Ludvig Puusepp
• May be present when Babinski is not elicitable
• Sensitive pyramidal sign
PUUSEPP’S SIGN:
56. • Slow, tonic abduction of the little toe
• On Plantar stimulation
• Great toe extension may be absent
PUUSEPP’S SIGN:
57. LIMITATIONS OF BABINSKI SIGN:
3. Flexor response in spite of CST lesion
• Frontal lobe lesions – hyperactive plantar grasp
• ALS/ MND – LMN involvement of toe extensors
58. LIMITATIONS OF BABINSKI SIGN:
4. Basal ganglia lesions
• Intact extrapyramidal pathway necessary for extensor response
• Thus in EPS – there is no extensor response
• If extensor response in EPS/ Parkinson's – s/o involvement of
CST
59. LIMITATIONS OF BABINSKI SIGN:
5. Technical limitations
• Missing great toe
• Foot amputations
• Bony deformities – hallux valgus
• Thick sole, foot callosities
• Peripheral neuropathy - sural
• Paralysis of toe flexors
• Pes cavus and high arched foot – fixed dorsiflexion
60. • Remember Babinski is not merely a reflex of toe movement
• A number of other movements are associated
• Here comes the role of observing thigh and leg flexion
• Brissauds reflex is an example
WHAT IF A PATIENT HAS MISSING TOE?
61. • NOT ALWAYS!
• Hypoglycemia, metabolic coma
• Alcohol intoxication
• Post-ictal states
• Deep sleep, deep anesthesia
• Cheyne stoke – during apnea phase
IS POSITIVE BABINSKI ALWAYS
PATHOLOGICAL?
62. 1. True Babinski
2. Minimal Plantar : contraction of TFL
3. Spontaneous Babinski : passive flexion of hip and knee or
passive extension of knee may produce Babinski in extensive
CST lesions
4. Bilateral Babinski : crossed extensor response : B/L cerebral
or SC lesion
5. Tonic Babinski : slow, prolonged extension – in combined
Frontal and EPS
6. Exaggerated Babinski : flexor or extensor spasm
Flexor spasm – B/L CST or SC lesion
TYPES OF BABINSKI
63. 1. Pseudo-Babinski : choreo-athetosis, hyperkinesia of toe
2. Inversion of plantar : short toe flexors paralysed/ flexor
tendons severed
3. Withdrawal response : voluntary
BABINSKI MIMICKERS
66. “Open season for the hunting of
reflex by different physicians”
R. FOSTER KENNEDY (1884-1952)
67.
68.
69.
70.
71.
72. • Stimulate lateral aspect of foot
• Bring under lateral malleolus
• Bring the stimulus forward towards
little toe
• Less specific but more sensitive
• Both are complementary
• Causes less withdrawal
Reverse choddock? Stimulus opposite!
A. CHODDOCK SIGN
74. • Dragging the knuckles heavily
• Down the anteromedial shin
• From infrapatellar region to ankle
• Response is usually slow
• Occurs towards end of stimulation
• more sensitive when combined with
babinski
B. OPPENHEIM SIGN
76. • German : Max Schaeffer
• Deep pressure on achillis tendon
• Causes upgoing plantar
C. SCHAEFFER’S SIGN
77.
78.
79. • Pricking the dorsum of the foot
• Elicits a plantar response
D. BING’S SIGN
80.
81. • Forceful downward stretching/
snapping of the 2nd/ 3rd/ 4th toe
• Difficult to obtain
• Slowly flex the toe, press on the
nail
• Twist the toe, hold for few seconds
E. GONDA SIGN
85. • Less consistent
• More difficult to elicit
• Less significant diagnostically
• Confusion regarding nomenclature
UPPER LIMB PATHOLOGICAL REFLEXES
86. • Stimulus – reflex hammer
• Response – flexion of fingers
• And distal phalynx of thumb
1. WARTENBERG’S SIGN
87.
88. • Hand is relaxed
• Wrist dorsiflexed and fingers partially flexed
• Middle finger partially extended
• Examiner holds the middle finger
• Stimulus – nips/ snaps the finger nail with a quick sharp
stimulus
• f/b sudden release
• Rebound of distal phalynx stretches the finger flexors
• Response – flexion of index finger, flexion and adduction
of thumb
2. HOFFMAN’S SIGN
90. • Let the wrist hang
• Same – fingers flexed, except middle finger partially
extended
• Stimus – thump/ flick the finger pad
• Response – same as Hoffman’s
3. TROMNER’S SIGN
HOFFMANS SIGN + TROMNERS SIGN = HOFFMANS
TEST
Now we all know there are 2 types of reflexes – DTR and SCR
Corneal reflex, palatal reflex, abdominal refle
Pathological rlfx in LL are more easily elicitable, more reliable and clinically relevant than UL. Can be divided into 2 groups according to the toe movements. Those characterized by extension/ DF of toes
Pathological rlfx in LL are more easily elicitable, more reliable and clinically relevant than UL. Can be divided into 2 groups according to the toe movements. Those characterized by extension/ DF of toes
Basically a polysynaptic reflex which withdraws the toes from pain.
A no of artists of the renaissance era including borteiceilli and da vinci painted these mary and jesus paintings. They were excellent observers of the human behaviour and phenomenon, however did not possess the required medical knowledge to explain them
This is a 15th century painting.. On the first look.. Looks pretty usual stuff.. Just a painting of Mother Mary holding baby jesus with the help of 2 angels. However, as neurologists, we need a keen eye to see finer details.. So lets enlarge and see
Do we see something now. Well how amazing it is that painters of that renaissance time had such keen observation powers, they painted the presence of this reflex in newborns.. Too bad no one knew the significance of this phenomenon.
group tableau portrait painted by the genre artistPierre Aristide André Brouillet (1857-1914). imaginary scene of a contemporary scientific demonstration, based on real life, and depicts the eminent French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot (1825-1893) delivering a clinical lecture and demonstration at the Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital in Paris. it depicts "a woman convulsing and assuming the arc-in-circle" posture:[6] the arc en circle, or Opisthotonus, "the hysteric's classic posture
French neurologist who was the fav pupil of jean marie charcot
Babinski wanted a sign that clearly differentiated malingeres from organic weakness and he remarked that such a response is almost never a.w. hysterical patients
Babinski wanted a sign that clearly differentiated malingeres from organic weakness and he remarked that such a response is almost never a.w. hysterical patients
an van Gijn - pioneering spirit and lead of our “Pioneers of Neurology” section, a role he took on after his time as Joint Chief Editor came to an end in 2000
Basically a polysynaptic reflex which withdraws the toes from pain.
Demonstrating plantar response is one the most skilful practices for a neurologist.
It helps that the leg is slightly externally rotated with knee flexed and one hand of the physician stabilizing the ankle
Strokes are given in successive lines, each line around one cm medial to the preceding stroke. This is done until the midline of the foot is reached. This technique is essential because in few cases the response is abnormal laterally but becomes normal towards the midline. Any extensor response on any of these lines is considered abnormal, irrespective of whether a flexor response is seen on another line of stroking. An explanation for this observance is that the receptive field of the reflex in different patients is variable, depending upon individual differences and extent of pathology
Any blunt object like the applicator stick, handle of a hammer, broken end of a tongue blade or simple the thumb nail of examiner can be used for eliciting a response. Or even a car key
Awhile babonski favoured a goose quill, the legendary English neurologist henry miller, said that the best object is a bentlry car key.
Buh-binski
The pathogenesis is the recruitment of EHL with subsequent overpowering of the flexors
Stimulation of ball of great toe – causes another reflex involving the dorsiflexion of te and withdrawal of leg from noxious stimulus – again is normal. So avaid stimulation there
EHL contraction is a.w. with contraction of hamstrings at the back of thigh, tensor fascia lata, flexion of the leg – TA. Muscles taking part – EHL, ED,L, TA, hamstrings and TFL
plantar becomes a postural reflex maintaining tone of the foot and leg
It is noteworthy that
Some authors content that pressure over the base of toe doesnot eliminate Babinski but inhibits withdrwal
The second differentiating factor is what is known as the brissauds reflex
In LMN lesions, toe will be paralysed for voluntary contraction as well
In LMN lesions, toe will be paralysed for voluntary contraction as well
EPS is necessary for upgoing plantar – thus lesions with EPS will not cause a positive Babinski unless there is associated extensive CST involvement. Now this again depends on relative involvement of EPS and PS, extensive involvement of EPS may inhibit a toe from going up inspite of CST lesion
Always is always wrong in medicine. As we discussed transient physiological disturbances can cause a toe to go up
Always is always wrong in medicine. As we discussed transient physiological disturbances can cause a toe to go up
Always is always wrong in medicine. As we discussed transient physiological disturbances can cause a toe to go up
Basically a polysynaptic reflex which withdraws the toes from pain.
30 years around the turn of century, there was a sudden interest in the Babinski reflex as an indication of pyramidal dysfunction. This is when foster kennedy described this era as the
Around the same time grant came out with his article. Many physician=s of that era sought eponymous immortality by describing their own variations of the majestic rise of the great toe.
The most useful of these are the chaddock and the oppenheims
Oppenheims allegedly did this by raking the handle of his reflex hammer down the shin
Oppenheims allegedly did this by raking the handle of his reflex hammer down the shin
Now if this same is done on the great toe– elicits a rossolimo sign (but it’s a plantar flexion reflex), 5th toe – stransky sign
When the reflexogenic area is very wide – toe may go up following minimal stimulation like removal of or pulling back bedsheets, removing socks or shoes – causing a spontaneous Babinski. Reflex may also occur with passive extension of knee of flexion of hip or knee. Then toes are held in tonic posture in extension and toes fanned out. In some extremely severe cases, toe may be held in tonic extension – botulinium toxin may be needed --- d/b striatal toe
Basically a polysynaptic reflex which withdraws the toes from pain.
Ul reflexes are mainly exaggerations or vafriations of finger flexor response. Wartenburg sign in itself has 2 variations – the wartenburg finger flexion reflex and the wartenburg thumb adduction test
Normally on asking the patient to do active flexion of the terminal phalanges of the four fingers, usually done by the examiner and the patient hooking fingertips and pulling with both hands. the thumb remains in abduction and extension. quivalent of Babinski’s plantar sign. The movement consists of adduction, flexion, and opposition of the thumb f
If only index finger responds – partial Hoffman, both index and thumb – complete hoffman
Wrist is dangling/ hanging by the side of the table
Wrist is dangling/ hanging by the side of the table
An extensive list of various eponymous upper limb pathological reflexes is shown.
Which brings us to the end. Despite having its detractors, plantar reflex and the Babinski sign is still one of the most fascinating phenomenon in neurology. If done in proper setting, it can be one of the most useful clinical tools.
Front cover of the popular tabloid Chanteclair (1911), showing Babinski, the extensor toe sign, a fan to emphasize the toe fanning of the reflex, and the reflex hammer Babinski used in practice