1. Observe with
the patient undressed : nystagmus, wasting and hemiparesis
2. Assess tone for hyper or hypotonia
3. Power:
-
Lift the leg up (L1 & 2)
-
Bend the knee (L5, S1 & 2)
-
Straighten the leg (L3 & 4)
-
Bend the foot down ( S1)
-
Cock up the foot (L4 & 5)
4. Co-ordination (heel-shin)
5. Tendon reflexes (knee and ankle)
6. Plantar responses (Babinski's sign)
7. Gait (walk and heel-to-toe)
8. Romberg's sign
Like the upper limb examination, most common cases are:
-
hemiplegia with homonymous hemianopia / quadrinopia
-
incoordination with multiple sclerosis
In addition, the foot is often presented for examination in patient with
diabetic retinopathy. Look out for ischamia and/or peripheral neuropathy. |