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CLINICAL EXPERIENCE WITH THE ANKLE REFLEX TEST
Author(s) -
Martin F. I. R.,
Chow Edmund,
Alford Frank P.
Publication year - 1970
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/j.1326-5377.1970.tb116842.x
Subject(s) - ankle jerk reflex , medicine , reflex , thyroid , ankle , thyroid function tests , audiology , pediatrics , anesthesia , surgery
The use of a photoelectric recording of the ankle reflex in the management of thyroid disease is described. The normal range from the start of muscular contraction to the half time of relaxation is 0–20 to 0–30 sec. A close correlation with chemical indices of thyroid function is reported, and a diagnostic accuracy of the order of 75% for thyrotoxicosis and 90% for myxœdema is described. The test is of particular value as an on‐the‐spot aid to diagnosis of thyroid status and for serial tests for the individual patient after treatment.