Ankle clonus is a neurological symptom where the foot rhythmically jerks or spasms when the ankle is flexed upward. It's caused by damage to the nerve pathways in the spinal cord — which is very relevant to PPMS, since PPMS tends to cause more spinal cord lesions than brain lesions.
It falls under the category of Show Full Answer
Ankle clonus is a neurological symptom where the foot rhythmically jerks or spasms when the ankle is flexed upward. It's caused by damage to the nerve pathways in the spinal cord — which is very relevant to PPMS, since PPMS tends to cause more spinal cord lesions than brain lesions.
It falls under the category of spasticity-related symptoms, which are among the most common motor issues in PPMS. At 62, being diagnosed with PPMS is actually closer to the typical age range, since PPMS is usually diagnosed about 10 years later than relapsing forms of MS. Here are some things worth knowing about managing motor symptoms like ankle clonus with PPMS:
- Spasticity management — medications like baclofen or tizanidine are often prescribed to help reduce muscle spasms
- Physical therapy — stretching and strengthening exercises can help manage clonus and maintain mobility
- Assistive devices — ankle-foot orthotics (AFOs) can help stabilize the foot and improve walking
- Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) — the only FDA-approved treatment for PPMS, which may help slow overall disability progression
It's really important to bring this symptom up with your neurologist if you haven't already, so they can assess its severity and recommend the best approach for you.
April 30
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