Patellar reflex
What is the "Patellar reflex" used for?
- L3-L4 Nerve Root Reflex
- Patellar tendon (quadriceps femoris innervated by femoral nerve)
How to perform the "Patellar reflex"?
- Patient Position: Sitting with the knees flexed over the end of the table looking away from the tested side
- Position of Examiner: Standing or seated to the side of the patient
- Evaluative Procedure: The patellar tendon 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
