Limitations of the Ankle Jerk Test

Abstract

The association of prolonged deep tendon reflexes with myxedema has been reported since the earliest descriptions of this disease (1). The first attempt to quantitate this phenomenon was made in 1924 by Chaney (2), who constructed a simple mechanical device to measure the Achilles tendon reflex. The next major step was made by Lambert, Underdahl, Beckett, and Mederos (3) in 1951 when they reported a correlation between thyroid status and the duration of the ankle jerk. At least nine instruments have thus far been devised to quantitate this physical index and convert it into a diagnostic test of thyroid function