What does a weakening of the reflex indicate? | The Tibialis Posterior Reflex

What does a weakening of the reflex indicate?

A reflex always runs through two nerve connections: From the muscle up to the spinal cord and then back to the muscle where the muscle movement (contraction) is triggered. When damage occurs in the reflex arc, the reflex becomes stronger or weaker, depending on the extent of the damage. A weakened reflex is more likely to indicate a problem near the muscle.

If the reflex is weakened on one side, the nerve is most likely to be damaged. If this is the case on both sides, it is more likely to be damage to the spinal cord where the relex is connected. For a better understanding, we recommend that you read more about the reflex arc, since this is where the switching of the reflexes takes place and damage leads to a weakening or strengthening of the reflex.

What does an amplification of the reflex indicate?

Although reflexes are interconnected via the spinal cord, they can be modulated by the brain. Thus, when the reflex is triggered, the head says that it is not needed so much and slows it down. An amplification of the reflex thus indicates damage above the spinal cord segment L5 or even damage in the brain. In this case, the brain is unable to pass on the attenuation command and the reflex is triggered at maximum strength.