What do deep tendon reflexes indicate?
The DTR of the upper extremities can provide clues to the level of injury in the spinal cord. Increased reflexes can be normal, especially if bilateral. Children frequently have exaggerated reflexes (more prominent in upper extremities). Enhanced reflexes can be associated with an upper motor neuron lesion.
What does it mean if deep tendon reflexes are absent?
Deep tendon reflexes may be absent when either the afferent volley is unable to access the spinal cord (sensory polyneuropathy, the spinocerebellar degenerations, root avulsion) or when the resulting efferent volley is unable to access the muscle (motor neuronopathy, radiculopathy, and certain neuromuscular junction …
What is a normal reflex response?
The normal reflex response is flexion of the great toe. An abnormal response is slower and consists of extension of the great toe with fanning of the other toes and often knee and hip flexion. This reaction is of spinal reflex origin and indicates spinal disinhibition due to an upper motor neuron lesion.
Is it bad if you have no reflex in your knee?
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. When reflex responses are absent this could be a clue that the spinal cord, nerve root, peripheral nerve, or muscle has been damaged.
Are brisk reflexes normal?
By convention the deep tendon reflexes are graded as follows: 0 = no response; always abnormal. 1+ = a slight but definitely present response; may or may not be normal. 2+ = a brisk response; normal.
How do you report deep tendon reflexes?
By convention the deep tendon reflexes are graded as follows:
- 0 = no response; always abnormal.
- 1+ = a slight but definitely present response; may or may not be normal.
- 2+ = a brisk response; normal.
- 3+ = a very brisk response; may or may not be normal.
- 4+ = a tap elicits a repeating reflex (clonus); always abnormal.
