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Deep tendon reflex
Dtr or deep tendon reflex is a test done on physical exam to evaluate specific nerve function. Certain nerves like cervical and lumber spinal nerves control certain reflexes and when absent can indicate a problem with that nerve. Like the patellar or knee reflex can indicate a spinal nerve problem or herniated disc.
Dr. Tracie Leonhardt reviewed this
31 year experience in Emergency Medicine
How long it usually lasts:
Related questions
A 28-year old male asked:
What is the definition or description of: deep tendon reflex?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 38-year old asked:
I need your help please? What makes me kick so hard when they test deep tendon reflex?
1 doctor answer • 5 doctors weighed in
A 21-year old male asked:
Is a change in your deep tendon reflex history an ominous sign? Like going from 2+ to 4+ on a scale that goes to 5+
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 23-year old female asked:
Why hyperactive deep tendon reflex occure in hypocalcemia?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 46-year old asked:
My son has brisk deep tendon reflex and thinks he has brain cancer. Please help im his mother?
2 doctor answers • 11 doctors weighed in
A 21-year old female asked:
What happens to the patellar tendon reflex after running on the spot and why does this happen? Please help, this is urgent
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
A 40-year old asked:
What are deep tendon reflexes and how they are graded?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
A 43-year old male asked:
My md has recently written in my physical exam, deep tendon response is sluggish. What does it mean and what are the implications? I take 500mgmetfor
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 28-year old female asked:
In fingers how deep below surface is fat tissue layer? &how deep are nerves/tendons?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 44-year old asked:
How can you know if node deep in neck by trachea is moveable? Cant tell if its tendons moving or node since so deep.
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 20-year old male asked:
I cut my finger fairly deep on the top crease but i can still move the portion of it i cut fairly well, could i still need surgery on the tendon?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 25-year old male asked:
Glass shards even if touched accidently while cleaning up easily penetrate skin and cause cuts and lots of easy bleeding. The Injuries from glass are usually superficial or really deep causing permanent damage to internal parts like tendons, etc.?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 41-year old asked:
What are hyperactive deep tendon reflexes?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 36-year old male asked:
What is the definition or description of: Hyperactive deep tendon reflexes?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 23-year old male asked:
I stabbed my hand with a knife about one inch below the palm's center, it wasnt too deep. But, i did some tendon damage its been months. Still no %100?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
A 25-year old male asked:
I had a deep cut and lacerated the profundus flexor tendon on my pinky finger on the 2nd..i can only get surgery on the 15th.. is it too late, or surgery will be able to fix it?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
A 46-year old male asked:
2 mnts after type 1 pec tendon tear repair still lot of pain when moving and discomfort taking deep breaths rom isn't good yet what should I expect?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 38-year old male asked:
Hi, my daughter had accident,resulted in cut between her small toe and next smallest toe. It seems quite deep but am unsure. Did not bleed much, and not too sore. Could she have cut a nerve or tendon etc? What are vital signs to look out for?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
A 35-year old female asked:
Deep bruise from a fall on my right Achilles tendon 8wks ago. Still swollen, hurts to touch and is numb. Doc hasn't done tests. What do I do now?
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
A 19-year old male asked:
Hi doctor. My knee pains when I deep squat.also I feel clicking in one of the tendon at back of knee when I raise my leg towards back. ?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 30-year old male asked:
I have a pretty deep gash on my ankle bone, cut doesn't seem too bad but when I walk I feel pain run up my leg. Like a tendon issue. What should I do?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 17-year old female asked:
I have cut so deep i hit a tendon, my wrist and hand are starting to really hurt specially in the palm and thumb area. I am losing a lot of strength and feeling in my fingers and thumb. Is that because i cut my tendon or could it be something else?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A member asked:
Do i need to get my arm x-rayed? I was in a car wreck two months ago and i had a rather deep laceration on my arm. It was cut to the tendons and bone, but nothing is broken. The cut is now healed and its a scar that looks like a red abrasion. My arm is st
4 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
A 56-year old male asked:
Is there a neurological condition that has the symptoms of gait ataxia, dysarthria, inability to do tandem walk and diminished deep tendon reflexes?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
A 21-year old female asked:
What can hyporeflexia mean in a pt that has hEDS, POTS, and post concussive syndrome? Deep tendon reflexes are hyporeflexic and there is neurological symptoms. CT and MRA clear?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 27-year old male asked:
If I have a Torn deep fibers of the tibiotalar ligament of the deltoid ligament complex. Foci of associated contusion of the talus. 2. Torn anterior talofibular ligament. 3. Tendinosis of the Achilles tendon. what would be recommended treatment?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 30-year old female asked:
Fell of my bike and injured knee a week ago. It hurts to bend knee and lift leg when walking. Torn tendon? Deep muscle bruising? See Dr or wait?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
A 31-year old male asked:
Vomiting while asleep when intoxicated? How is it possible? I thought deep sleep terminated the signals in the brain that control the vomiting reflex?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 30-year old asked:
How do you treat tear in a tendon. ?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
A 45-year old asked:
What can I do for damaged tendons caused by levoflox?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
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