Put your thinking caps on.....

[Lulu54]

I had a very thorough neuro exam today (been having problems with extreme spasticity) and had something happen that never has happened before and I find no online reference as to what it might be.  Here is the scenario -

The typical reflex test of my left leg while dangling provoked hyper reflexes like always, but today it also caused my right leg to bounce as if it had also been tapped.   The right leg was not touched at all. the neuro (a substitute- not my usual) was surprised and did it two more times to make sure he had seen it, then made a comment to me about it in an obscure way but I didn't think quick enough to ask him what that was about.

Now I find no referrence to this anywhere online  - so I turn to my experts here.  My instinct says its not a good sign and it involves spinal lesions.

any thoughts?
Laura

[Poppy7402]

So maybe it's not as bad as you first thought??

[Lulu54]

thanks, poppy.  Your note gave me more to search and I come up with

"hyperreflexia include spreading of reflexes to other muscles not directly being tested and crossed adduction of the opposite leg when the medial aspect of the knee is tapped. "

still searching for an answer but gathering clues.....

[Jifr]

Hi Lulu

Which neuro do you see?   I feel like I've seen all of them in southern ohio.

I'm going to agree with you on maybe something spinal. Do you have known spinal lesions?

[Poppy7402]

Maybe you have this "spreading reflex" that they talk about on the Medhelp page??

"5+ - Major kick with sustained, repetitive movements (sustained clonus).  Also considered here and in "4+" is if other muscle groups also react with contraction, called "spreading reflex."

http://www.medhelp.org/tags/health_page/7687/Multiple-Sclerosis/Measuring-The-Tendon-Reflexes?hp_id=157

[Ufrustrated2]

hope your regular neuro gets back to you soon.
i see where that hyperreflexia is linked with spinal cord injury. i didn't see a clear explanation of such a stimuli jumping the brain, like left side to right side. just means i didn't see it, not that it doesn't exist.

sure can realte to not thinking quick enogh to asking a question in time to the current conversation.  

good wishes your way

[Maracamama]

Well, I tried to put on my thinking cap but didn't come up with a whole lot.  Most of the terms I was reading to get to any info were hurting my head.

The little bit of info that I found is that it is referred to as "pathological spreading of reflexes" and that it indicates hyperreflexia.

Sorry, but that's all I could find.  Hope you can dig up a little more.

Laura

[anon07072023]

oh wow, I have no clue about it. It doesn't sound good though...