What is the role of reflex hammer

Posted by aijj on January 6th, 2020

What is a reflex hammer

A reflex hammer is a device that doctors use to check neuromuscular reflexes. It is mostly composed of a rubber and a wooden or metal handle. When using it, tap the relevant part gently with the rubber end to observe the reflection of the neuromuscular.

The role of reflex hammer

Pathological reflexes are abnormal reflexes that occur only when the central nervous system is damaged. The percussion hammer held by the doctor is used to check the abnormal reflection of the patient. For example, when examining the knee reflex of a patient, the patient is placed in a sitting position with both feet suspended and relaxed, and the doctor taps the knee with a percussion hammer.

Normal people will cause the quadriceps (a muscle in front of the thighs) to contract, and the calf to be raised. This reflection is called the knee tendon reflection. The center of the knee tendon reflex is in the spinal cord. Therefore, this test is not to check whether the knee is sick, but to check whether the knee reflex center of the spinal cord is normal.

Biceps tendon reflex, triceps reflex, radial periosteum reflex, and Achilles tendon reflex are all tendon reflexes like knee reflex. Under normal circumstances, tendon reflexes are subject to feedback and suppression by the advanced nervous system, so the muscles of the arms, legs, and feet receiving the thump will not produce excessively strong or weak contractions, and the inspection results of the reflexes on both sides should basically Consistent.

One knee tendon reflex is weakened, which may be a disease of the efferent nerve or spinal nerve root;

1. Alcoholism neuritis, the knee tendon reflexes are more common;

2. Sciatic nerve damage caused by lumbar disc herniation and paralysis of lower limbs in children will cause weakened or loss of Achilles tendon reflex;

3. When the spinal cord is transected and contused (spinal shock), because the spinal cord loses the management of the higher-level central nervous system, it will show that the temporary reflex disappears completely;

4. In cerebrovascular disease, because the cerebral cortex loses control of the spinal cord, the spinal cord is in a laissez-faire state, and tendon hyperreflexia occurs.

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aijj
Joined: June 6th, 2019
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