Elbow
Muscle & Tendon
Evidence: confirmed
Biceps Reflex Test Special Test
Orthopedic Physical Examination & Clinical Assessment Guide
What is it used for?
- Assessing the integrity of the C5-C6 Nerve Roots and Biceps Tendon.
How to Perform
- Position: Patient sits with arm relaxed on their lap.
- Action: Examiner places their thumb on the biceps tendon in the cubital fossa and strikes their own thumb with the reflex hammer.
Interpretation of Results
- Normal: Visible flexion of the elbow.
- Abnormal: Diminished reflex suggests C5/C6 impingement or tendon pathology.
Clinical Context & Limitations
The Biceps Reflex Test should be considered as one component of a comprehensive musculoskeletal assessment. No single special test has perfect diagnostic accuracy; thus, clinical decision-making should integrate test results with patient-reported symptoms, mechanism of injury, functional impairment, and relevant imaging.
Clinicians should be aware of potential false-positive results in patients with pain sensitisation, muscle guarding, or poor relaxation. For the Elbow region, combining the Biceps Reflex Test with complementary examination tests significantly improves overall diagnostic confidence.
References
- Magee, D. J. (2021). Orthopedic Physical Assessment.
