Gordon Reflex

Overview

5 out of 5 (3 Reviews)

Credits

1.00

Post-Assessment Questions

5

Start Date

1 Sep 2023

Last Review Date

26 Feb 2026

Expiration Date

31 Aug 2026

Estimated Time To Finish

60 Minutes


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Activity Description

The Gordon reflex is a pathologic plantar reflex used in neurologic examination to assess for upper motor neuron dysfunction involving the corticospinal tract. The reflex is elicited by firmly squeezing the calf musculature and observing for dorsiflexion of the great toe, with or without fanning of the remaining toes, indicating an abnormal extensor plantar response. The finding is comparable to the Babinski sign and supports the presence of central nervous system pathology. The Gordon reflex is particularly useful when traditional plantar stimulation is not tolerated or yields equivocal results. Common clinical contexts include evaluation of suspected stroke, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, and other disorders affecting upper motor neuron pathways. Proper technique and interpretation enhance the diagnostic value of the neurologic examination.

This educational activity strengthens clinician competence in performing and interpreting the Gordon reflex within a structured neurologic assessment. Participants learn appropriate examination techniques, recognize abnormal responses, and integrate findings with other upper motor neuron signs to improve diagnostic accuracy. The course emphasizes clinical decision-making regarding further evaluation, imaging, and referral when abnormal reflexes are identified. Collaboration within an interprofessional healthcare team, including neurology clinicians, nursing staff, and rehabilitation specialists, supports timely diagnosis, coordinated care planning, and improved patient outcomes through early recognition and management of neurologic disease.


Target Audience

This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of physicians, physician associates, nurses, pharmacists, and nurse practitioners.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, the learner will be better able to:

  • Identify the clinical significance of the Gordon reflex in detecting upper motor neuron lesions.

  • Implement the proper technique to safely and accurately elicit the Gordon reflex during neurologic examination.

  • Apply Gordon reflex findings to support clinical diagnosis and guide further neurologic evaluation.

  • Communicate examination findings clearly with patients and healthcare team members to support diagnostic and treatment decisions.

Disclosures

StatPearls, LLC requires everyone who influences the content of an educational activity to disclose relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies that have occurred within the past 24 months. Ineligible companies are organizations whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. All relevant conflict(s) of interest have been mitigated. Hover over contributor names for financial disclosures. Others involved in planning this educational activity have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Commercial Support: This activity has received NO commercial support.

Continuing Education Accreditation Information

In support of improving patient care, StatPearls, LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

 

Physicians and Physician Associates: StatPearls, LLC designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians and PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

American Board of Internal Medicine: Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1.00 MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.

American Board of Pathology: Successful completion of this Continuing Certification activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1.00 Lifelong Learning (CME) credits in the American Board of Pathology’s Continuing Certification Program.

American Board of Pediatrics: Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to earn up to 1.00 MOC points in the American Board of Pediatrics’ (ABP) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABP MOC credit.

American Board of Surgery: Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME and Self-Assessment requirement(s) of the American Board of Surgery’s Continuous Certification program. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABS credit.

Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada: Through an agreement between the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, medical practitioners participating in the Royal College MOC Program may record completion of accredited activities registered under the ACCME’s “CME in Support of MOC” program in Section 3 of the Royal College’s MOC Program.

Please consult your professional licensing board for information on the applicability and acceptance of continuing education credit for this activity.

Method of Participation and Credit

  1. Register for the activity.    
  2. Review the target audience, learning objectives, and disclosure information.
  3. Study the educational content of the enduring material.
  4. Choose the best answer to each activity test question. To receive credit and a certificate, you must pass the test questions with a minimum score of 100%.
  5. Complete the post-activity assessment survey.

If you have concerns regarding the CE/CME system, please contact support@statpearls.com.

Disclaimer

This educational activity was planned and produced in accordance with the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Faculty may discuss investigational products or off-label uses of products regulated by the FDA. Readers should verify all information before employing any therapies described in this educational activity.

The information provided for this activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical/clinical judgment of a healthcare provider relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient’s medical condition. The information presented does not necessarily reflect the views of StatPearls or any commercial supporters of educational activities on statpearls.com. StatPearls expressly disclaims responsibility for any adverse consequences resulting directly or indirectly from information in the course, for undetected error, or through a participant's misunderstanding of the content.

Unapproved Uses of Drugs/Devices: In accordance with FDA requirements, the audience is advised that information presented in this continuing education activity may contain references to unlabeled or unapproved uses of drugs or devices. Please refer to the FDA-approved package insert for each drug/device for full prescribing/utilization information.

Cancellation Policy: Please see the cancellation policy. StatPearls, LLC reserves the right to cancel any course due to unforeseen circumstances.

 

 
 

Reviews

Richard P. on 3/21/2023

Benjamin S. on 2/25/2025

Mohammed A. on 3/28/2026

Unlimited Physician CME

Stay up to date on the latest medical knowledge with 6344 CME activities. In these online self-assessment activities, read our reference articles and test your knowledge with more than 7563 hours of CME.

Learn About Lifetime CME

Single Activity

Take this single activity

$49 1 activity

6 Month Unlimited Physician CME

Access to all the Unlimited Physician CME activities in all specialties.

$399 per half year per user

1 Year Unlimited Physician CME

Access to all the Unlimited Physician CME activities in all specialties.

$649 per 1 year per user