Reflex hammers are used to test deep tendon reflexes. They are also used for chest percussion and mostly on neurological physical examination.
Reflex hammer has a rubber head which is used for tapping surfaces of the body in order to produce sounds for diagnostic purposes.
How to Use Reflex Hammer?
Hold the hammer loosely between the thumb and index finger so that the hammer moves in a swift arc and in a controlled direction. As you tap the tendon, use a rapid downward snap of the wrist, tap quickly and firmly, and then snap your wrist back so that the hammer does not linger on the tendon. The tap should be brisk and direct. Practice this action to achieve smooth, rapid, and controlled motion. You can use either the pointed or flat end of the hammer. The flat end is more comfortable when striking the patient directly; the pointed end is useful in small areas, such as on your finger placed over the patient's biceps tendon.
Types of Reflex Hammers
Reflex hammers have many models and types. Most common types are Taylor Hammer, Dejerine Hammer, Babinski Hammer, Buck Hammer, Berliner Hammer, Traube Hammer etc.
Buck Hammer
The Buck Hammer is used for cutaneous sensation evaluation, testing reflexes, and measuring nerve sensitivity.
The Buck Hammer also has a needle in its head, and a brush in its handle.
Taylor Reflex Hammer
The Taylor Hammer is used by doctors to test deep tendon reflexes and chest percussion which is an important parts of any neurological physical examination.
Taylor hammer has a unique triangular rubber head which is pointed from one end and wider from the other.
It is available in small size from paediatric patients and large size for adult patients.
Dejerine Reflex Hammer
The Dejerine Percussion Hammer is used for testing of deep tendon reflexes in a diagnostic evaluation to detect abnormalities in the central or peripheral nervous system.
It features a double-sided head composed of two rounded rubber surfaces for increased patient comfort. This hammer includes a slim neck that flares into a wider handle for improved gripping.
Dejerine Hammer is also available with needle.
Babinski Reflex Hammer
The Babinski reflex hammer is used for testing reflexes of the nervous system like a neurologist.
The unique design of this Babinski hammer allows the user to elicit the most subtle reflexes with only minimal effort.
Berliner Reflex Hammer
The Berliner hammer is used to release muscle-stretch-reflexes as for example the Achilles tendon reflex or Patella reflex, in relation to neurological investigations.
Berlin percussion hammer has a unique throwing axe shape. The head of this hammer is made of rubber just like the other reflex hammers. The rubber head is used to produce reflexive responses to a striking motion on specific areas of the body. The degree of responsiveness is used to determine if any neurological disorder potentially exists.
Traube Reflex Hammer
Traube Percussion Hammer is used to check reflex and pressure in the stomach area.
Troemer Percussion Hammer
The percussion hammer is used to test deep tendon reflexes, just like the other reflex hammers.
It's sturdy hammers has small and larger rubber tips and sharp pointed hollow tapered handle. Moreover, it has a retractable brush which is used to elicit myotatic, cutaneous, and plantar responses with minimum efforts and easiness.
Comments
Post a Comment