The muscle stretch reflexes are tested by tendon percussion and assessing the resulting muscle response. The muscles must be relaxed to assess the stretch reflex, so distraction is sometimes helpful. The plantar response is also usually included in this part. A normal reflex examination could be communicated with: “The muscle stretch reflexes are 2/4 for bilateral brachioradialis, biceps, triceps, patellar, and Achilles tendons; and the plantar responses are flexor”.

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Level 3 Unit 2 Part 59: Coordination examination