(4) Evaluation of neurological impairment. You can evaluate neurological
impairment by testing reflexes using a stopwatch to time the reflex response. These are
reflexes that are clinically significant:
(a) Biceps--deep tendon reflex.
1 Have the patient's elbow at about a 90E angle of flexion with the
arm slightly bent down as shown in figure 2-6.
2 Grasp the elbow with your left hand so the fingers are behind
the elbow and your abductee thumb presses the biceps brachii tendon.
3 Strike your thumb a series of blows with the rubber hammer,
varying your thumb pressure with each blow until the most satisfactory response is
obtained.
4 Normal reflex is elbow flexion (bending).
Figure 2-6. Biceps reflex.
MD0572
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