II. Indications
- Cerebellar Function evaluation
III. Technique
- Patient lies supine, with eyes closed
- Patient flexes knee, and places their heel against the opposite knee
- Patient extends their knee, allowing their heel to glide across the opposite leg, down the shin to the great toe
- Observe for smoothness and accuracy
- Repeat with the opposite leg
IV. Interpretation: Abnormal Findings
- Abnormalities suggest cerebellar disease
- Heel may overshoot the knee or fall to either side of the shin as it descends the opposite leg
- Heel may be held elevated above the leg (not in contact) in a patient with lost proprioception
V. References
- Bates (1991) Physical Exam, Lippincott, Philadelphia, p. 531