Reflex hammers

Reflex Hammers

A reflex hammer is a medical instrument used by practitioners to test deep tendon reflexes. Testing for reflexes is an important part of the neurological physical examination in order to detect abnormalities in the central or peripheral nervous system. 

Reflex hammers can also be used for chest percussion.

Prior to the development of specialized reflex hammers, hammers specific for percussion of the chest were used to elicit reflexes. However, this proved to be cumbersome, as the weight of the chest percussion hammer was insufficient to generate an adequate stimulus for a reflex.

Starting in the late 19th century, several models of specific reflex hammers were created:

• The Taylor or tomahawk reflex hammer
• The Queen Square reflex hammer
• The Babinski reflex hammer
• The Trömner reflex hammer
• Other reflex hammer types include the Buck, Berliner and Stookey reflex hammers.

There are numerous models available in B2B ahealthcare COM.