Hamstrings Reflex

Hamstrings Reflex

What is the "Hamstrings Reflex" used for?

  • L5 Nerve Root Reflex (Medial Hamstrings innervated by Tibial nerve)

How to perform the "Hamstrings Reflex"?

  1. Patient Position: Prone with the knee slightly flexed looking away from the tested side
  2. Position of Examiner: Standing or seated to the side of the patient. The thumb or finger is placed over the semitendinosus tendon immediately superior to the medial joint line.
  3. Evaluative Procedure: The finger is tapped with the reflex hammer.

What is the positive result?

Grade Response
0 No reflex elicited
+1 Hyporeflexia: Reflex elicited with reinforcement (precontracting the muscle)
+2 Normal response
+3 Hyperreflexia (brisk)
+4 Hyperactive with clonus

References