A reflex hammer is a device that tests musculo-tendon reflexes. Find out when and why a reflex hammer is used.

A reflex hammer or reflex hammer is a medical device used exclusively by healthcare professionals.

Composition

Reflex hammers are shaped like a small hammer overall. There are different models. They consist for example of a handle and a stainless steel head with a rubber head which is used for percussion, for example two rubber sensitization points. Some models include a brush or a needle to test sensitive territories.

A reflex hammer or reflex hammer is used by healthcare professionals to test a person’s musculo-tendon reflexes and make a diagnosis. This diagnostic tool is frequently used by:

• general practitioners;
• medical specialists;
• pediatricians;
• physiotherapists;
• osteopaths.

The reflex hammer can also be used to perform chest or abdominal percussion (to see if there are changes in the chest or abdomen).

Testing the musculo-tendon reflexes

During a medical examination, the doctor routinely checks several bone tendon reflexes. The osteotendinous reflex is a normal involuntary reaction of muscle contraction following a percussion of the tendon. The test consists of striking the tendon of the muscle (this stimulus stretches the muscle which responds reflexively with a contraction, this is the myotatic reflex).

As a reminder, the movement is controlled by the nervous system which connects the sensory organs and the muscles. The reflex can be exacerbated (significant contraction even with a weak stimulus) or weakened, even absent in the event of neuromuscular problem.

Examples of osteotendinous reflexes tested with a reflex hammer

Several osteotendinous reflexes can be examined with a reflex hammer:

• bicipital (biceps contraction reflex);
• triceps (triceps contraction reflex);
• patellar (quadriceps contraction reflex);
• Achilles (triceps sural contraction reflex);
• plantar (big toe flexion reflex);
• pen-radial (forearm contraction reflex);
• ulna-pronator (hand pronation reflex).

Target audience

Myotatic reflexes are a frequent diagnostic tool. You may need to have your reflexes tested with a reflex hammer to diagnose certain conditions.

The abolition or reduction of a reflex is sometimes the indication of a nerve damage (multiple sclerosis, damage to a nerve causing sciatica, etc.).

The exaggeration of the reflex response, or spasticity, may reflect a central neurological pathology.

The first model of reflex hammer proposed by John Taylor (the Taylor reflex hammer) was designed at the end of the XNUMXth century.

There are several models of reflex hammer including:

Buck’s Reflex Hammer

It is composed of 2 percussive hemispherical parts of different size for the examination of tendon reflexes in adults or children.

The Dejerine reflex hammer

This model is close to Buck’s hammer but the rubber ends are larger. It is also usually delivered with a needle and a brush, in order to carry out a sensory examination.

Babinski reflex hammer

It has been designed for simple and precise use. Its percussion washer allows you to target all types of tendons for a rapid test of tendon reflexes in adults or children

Taylor’s Reflex Hammer

It is composed of a triangular head for the stimulation of the plantar skin reflex

Vernon’s reflex hammer

Suitable for young patients, the Vernon Reflex Hammer is a pediatric two-head hammer with sensing tip, just like the Babinski hammer.

The stages of operation

When using a reflex hammer, the healthcare professional taps it lightly in certain places of the body, in the tendon area useful for diagnosis, for example in the patellar tendon (knee).

Steps :

• he takes the reflex hammer;
• he positions the head according to the examination to be carried out, either straight or perpendicular, then taps lightly on the area useful for the diagnosis;
• tendon percussion is performed on a relaxed muscle.

When to use it?

The reflex hammer are medical devices frequently used by general practitioners and other health professionals (pediatricians, neurologists, etc.)

Precautions to take

After use, the reflex hammer is cleaned and then sterilized.