The radial nerve acts as both the afferent and the efferent pathway, and the spinal root is C6-7-8.
The sitting patient
- Passively place the patient’s forearm in slightly more than 90° flexion. Hold the patient’s wrist so that they are able to completely relax their muscles.
- Strike the triceps tendon directly with the reflex hammer, about 3 cm above the olecranon [Figure 79].
- Note the contraction of the triceps muscle and the movement of the forearm.
Figure 79
The supine patient
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The patient’s arm should be placed across their chest in a relaxed position, with the elbow at about 90° flexion.
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Using one hand hold the patient’s hand or wrist, and bring the arm into slightly more than 90° flexion, after having passively flexed and extended the elbow a number of times in order to relax the triceps muscle.
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Strike the triceps muscle with the reflex hammer about 3 cm above the olecranon [Figure 80].
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Note the contraction of the triceps muscle and the movement of the forearm.
Figure 80
