Reflex tests measure the strength and appearance of a number of reflexes. These tests are actually part of a neurological exam done for spinal cord injuries or neuromuscular conditions—to check whether or not the nerves in the spine are still functioning.
Full Answer
Why are reflexes important in neurological disorders?
When reflex tests are performed in conjunction with other neurological tests that assess motor function, balance, coordination, and sensation, the physician has a more complete picture of the patient’s overall condition. Reflexes need to be assessed on both sides of the body.
What is a reflex test?
You almost teleport to his position just in time to catch him—that is reflex. Reflex tests measure the strength and appearance of a number of reflexes. These tests are actually part of a neurological exam done for spinal cord injuries or neuromuscular conditions—to check whether or not the nerves in the spine are still functioning.
What is involved in a neurological exam?
A common component of a neurological exam is testing the patient’s reflexes. This painless procedure is an important tool used by the physician to help diagnose disorders and determine a course of treatment. It also helps determine the need for further imaging tests such as x-rays, CT scans, and MRIs. What are reflexes?
What do neurologists look for when checking reflexes?
Your neurologist or doctor will undoubtedly also check your deep tendon reflexes. Everyone has had this done to them, with the little hammer. Your muscles and tendons stretch out when tapped and what they are looking for is whether or not there is symmetry on both sides. Do your reflexes look the same on both sides of your body.
Why is a neurological exam done?
A complete and thorough evaluation of a person's nervous system is important if there is any reason to think there may be an underlying problem, or during a complete physical. Damage to the nervous system can cause problems in daily functioning. Early identification may help to find the cause and decrease long-term complications. A complete neurological exam may be done:
What is done during a neurological exam?
During a neurological exam, the healthcare provider will test the functioning of the nervous system. The nervous system is very complex and controls many parts of the body. The nervous system consists of the brain, spinal cord, 12 nerves that come from the brain, and the nerves that come from the spinal cord. The circulation to the brain, arising from the arteries in the neck, is also frequently examined. In infants and younger children, a neurological exam includes the measurement of the head circumference. The following is an overview of some of the areas that may be tested and evaluated during a neurological exam:
What is neurology exam?
A neurological exam, also called a neuro exam, is an evaluation of a person's nervous system that can be done in the healthcare provider's office. It may be done with instruments, such as lights and reflex hammers. It usually does not cause any pain to the patient. The nervous system consists of the brain, the spinal cord, and the nerves from these areas. There are many aspects of this exam, including an assessment of motor and sensory skills, balance and coordination, mental status (the patient's level of awareness and interaction with the environment), reflexes, and functioning of the nerves. The extent of the exam depends on many factors, including the initial problem that the patient is experiencing, the age of the patient, and the condition of the patient.
Which nerve helps with the movement of the eyes?
The patient's healthcare provider may touch the face at different areas and watch the patient as he or she bites down. Cranial nerve VI (abducens nerve). This nerve helps with the movement of the eyes. The patient may be asked to follow a light or finger to move the eyes. Cranial nerve VII (facial nerve).
Which nerve is responsible for pupil size and certain movements of the eye?
Cranial nerve III (oculomotor). This nerve is responsible for pupil size and certain movements of the eye. The patient's healthcare provider may examine the pupil (the black part of the eye) with a light and have the patient follow the light in various directions. Cranial nerve IV (trochlear nerve).
Which nerve is responsible for the movement of the face muscle and taste?
Cranial nerve VII ( facial nerve). This nerve is responsible for various functions, including the movement of the face muscle and taste. The patient may be asked to identify different tastes (sweet, sour, bitter), asked to smile, move the cheeks, or show the teeth. Cranial nerve VIII (acoustic nerve).
Which nerve is responsible for smell?
Cranial nerve I (olfactory nerve). This is the nerve of smell. The patient may be asked to identify different smells with his or her eyes closed.
Why is it important to have reflex tests?
Why it is important to have reflex tests. Reflex tests help doctors recognize brain damages, spinal injuries and neuromuscular conditions. Doctors are then able to recommend that patients see neurologists or specialists who can further assist them with their illnesses.
What is the test called when you see if you have reflexes?
When people go for check-ups, doctors usually use a tool to see how patients’ reflexes respond to that tool. This is called the reflex test .
What is reflex test?
These tests are actually part of a neurological exam done for spinal cord injuries or neuromuscular conditions— to check whether or not the nerves in the spine are still functioning.
What is the patient's position at the edge of a checkup bed?
The (adult) patient is seated straight at the edge of a checkup bed, arms and legs are relaxed with one hand on top of the other. The patient should be calm and relaxed.
What does it mean when your body reacts to a certain impulse?
It means that your body involuntarily reacts to a certain impulse. This specific impulse lets the senses send signals to the spine in which the brain and the nerves will allow the muscles in your body to react. For example, you’re a parent with a 6-month old son who is hyperactive and crawls a lot.
Who invented the reflex hammer?
In 1888, a Philadelphia neurologist John Madison Taylor invented the first certified reflex hammer. Since then, it has been medically used for various reflex tests all over the world. Basically, neurologists or physicians are permitted to use this tool.
Which backbone is connected to the nerves of the first and second backbones?
The ankle is connected to the nerves of the first and second backbones. The knee is connected to the nerves of the second through the fourth backbones. The abdomen is connected to the nerves of the eighth through the twelfth backbones.
What is the purpose of checking reflexes?
The Purpose of Checking Reflexes. The nerves of your body are a group of specialized fibers that are bundled together like the strands of a rope. These nerve fibers run throughout your body to carry sensory impulses from your body to your brain and motor impulses from your brain to muscles and other organs. According to Structure and Function of ...
What is the response to a deep tendon reflex test?
An absent or diminished response is called hyporeflexia, and an over reactive response is called hyperreflexia. A normal reflex response is merely considered normal. The results of reflex tests gives health care providers a clue to the location of possible damage within the nervous system. According to the National Institute for Health, hyporeflexia represents a problem within the reflex arc itself, and hyperreflexia indicates a lesion in the spine above the level of the reflex.
How to test for triceps?
Strike your finger and feel for the contraction inward. Test the triceps reflex by gently tapping the triceps tendon above the elbow and feel for the arm flexing outward. The brachioradialis is tested by striking the radius about 1 to 2 inches above the wrist while the forearm is relaxed on a table or lap.
How to test a deep tendon reflex?
According to Neuroexam, deep tendon reflexes are tested using a reflex hammer to stretch the muscle and tendon. To test the biceps reflex, place your finger on the biceps tendon in the fold of the elbow. Strike your finger and feel for the contraction inward. Test the triceps reflex by gently tapping the triceps tendon above the elbow and feel for the arm flexing outward. The brachioradialis is tested by striking the radius about 1 to 2 inches above the wrist while the forearm is relaxed on a table or lap. The abdominal reflex is tested by gently stroking the abdomen with a blunt object starting at the umbilicus and moving outward across the abdomen. The stomach muscles should contract in the direction of the stroke. The patellar tendon reflex is tested by tapping the area just below the knee cap while sitting down with your feet dangling. You should notice a knee-jerk, or flexion of the lower leg. The Achilles tendon reflex is tested by flexing the foot toward the knee and gently tapping the Achilles tendon. A short flexion of the foot should be felt.
What does hyperreflexia mean in a reflex test?
According to the National Institute for Health, hyporeflexia represents a problem within the reflex arc itself, and hyperreflexia indicates a lesion in the spine above the level of the reflex.
What is the signal sent by a reflex hammer?
A “reflex” contraction signal is then sent from the spinal cord through a motor nerve, causing the expected jerking of the extremity being tested.
Where are reflex arcs located?
Reflex Locations. There are six primary locations for testing the reflex arcs all across the spinal cord. The biceps tendon, triceps tendon and brachioradialis tendon test the cervical nerves along the fifth, sixth and seventh vertebrae. The abdomen tests the nerves along the eighth through twelfth thoracic vertebrae.
What does it mean when your reflexes are abnormal?
Asymmetry or abnormal reflexes can also be a sign of neurological damage. 2. They Check Your Coordination : When the docs check your coordination they are also checking to see if there are problems with your cerebellum as this is the part of the brain which controls voluntary movement and motor coordination.
What doctor will check your deep tendon reflexes?
Your neurologist or doctor will undoubtedly also check your deep tendon reflexes. Everyone has had this done to them, with the little hammer. Your muscles and tendons stretch out when tapped and what they are looking for is whether or not there is symmetry on both sides. Do your reflexes look the same on both sides of your body. Is there a lack of reflex or alternatively do you have exaggerated or rapid fire reflexes which shoot out too quickly? Asymmetry or abnormal reflexes can also be a sign of neurological damage.
What is the test for plantar response?
One test they may do is to test what is known as your plantar response. The doctor will scrape the sole of your foot with a pointed instrument, beginning at your heel and moving towards the toes. The normal response will cause the toes to curl downward.
How to test balance?
At any rate the main test for your balance is the Romberg's Test which essentially means that you stand with feet together, eyes open and hands to your side, and see if you keep your balance. The real fun begins when you close your eyes and the doctor examines you for a minute. Well it only takes me about twenty to thirty seconds before I am on the floor. Your balance is dependent upon various neurological systems working in tandem together. Vision is one of them. When you take vision away, will your proprioceptive function (your awareness of your body in space) or vestibular functions (responsible for our spatial orientation and sense of balance) need to compensate. Thus my vestibular and proprioceptive systems are not working so well.
Can a neurology doctor perform neurological tests?
And the second link includes videos of abnormal responses. Remember that only a qualified doctor or neurologist can adequately perform these tests and give you a professional interpretation.
Why are reflex responses absent?
When reflex response is abnormal, it may be due to the disruption of the sensory (feeling) or motor (movement) nerves or both.
What is a reflex when you tap your knees?
Deep Tendon Reflexes. Most people have experienced their physician tapping their knees with a rubber hammer. The normal response is a ‘knee jerk’. This is an example of a reflex, which is an involuntary muscular response elicited by the rubber hammer tapping the associated tendon.
What nerves do neurologists test?
Below is a list of each nerve, what it controls, and how we test it: 1. Olfactory nerve.
How do you test your sensory nerves?
Sensory nerves travel from the spinal cord to the brain and can be tested by seeing if a person can tell the difference between a sharp and dull, cold and hot, and if they can feel vibration.
What is the purpose of brain and spinal cord tests?
These tests provide us with a lot of information about how the nervous system is functioning overall, and whether there are any disruptions in communication.
What nerve controls the movement of the tongue?
Hypoglossal nerve. This nerve controls the movement of the tongue. To test it we have the person stick out their tongue and look to see if it is in the middle. We also look to see if there are any signs of muscle weakness in the tongue. Most people love the opportunity to stick their tongue out at their doctor!
What nerve controls the gag reflex?
These are called the Weber and Rinne tests. 9. Glossopharyngeal nerve. This nerve also plays a role in our sense of taste, the movement of the soft palate, and it also controls the gag reflex.
What nerve controls the movement of the face and our sense of taste?
7. Facial nerve. This nerve controls the movement of the face and our sense of taste. To test it we have people make facial expressions like smiling, squeezing their eyes shut, puffing their cheeks, and raising their eyebrows to see if both sides of the face are symmetrical. 8.
What nerve is used to test for MS?
We can also test sensation by touching each side of the face to see if sensation is the same on each side. 6. Abducens nerv e.
What Are Reflexes?
- Reflexes are automatic responses to stimulation. These unconscious movements happen so quickly that we don’t have time to consciously register what happened. Reflex actions do not involve the brain. Simple reflexes are controlled by certain areas of the spinal cord. Testing of deep tendon reflexes is fundamental to a comprehensive neurological examination.
How Are Reflexes Tested?
- Reflexes are most often tested using a small, rubber reflex hammer. Doctors have used this inexpensive diagnostic tool in one form or another since the late 1800s. The hammer is tapped in different places on the body, and the physician makes note of the reaction that occurs or the lack of reaction. Perhaps the most familiar place associated with reflex testing is just below the kne…
What Problems Can Reflex Tests indicate?
- Reflex tests can help physicians diagnose brain and spinal tumors, spinal cord injuries, nerve compression, nervous and muscular disorders, and other neurological conditions. They help to pinpoint the location of a spinal cord injury. When reflex tests are performed in conjunction with other neurological tests that assess motor function, balance, c...
Next Steps
- The team of Board Certified neurosurgeons at Atlanta Brain and Spine Care specialize in the treatment of herniated discs, spinal stenosis, brain and spinal tumors, and other spinal conditions.Contact ustoday for more information on diagnostic testing and treatment.