Physical examination maneuver

Physical Exam

Brachioradialis Deep Tendon Reflex

also known as Supinator jerk
🎬
Video coming soon

How to Perform

With the patient's forearm resting relaxed in slight pronation, strike the distal radius about 2–3 cm proximal to the wrist (over the brachioradialis tendon) with the reflex hammer. The normal response is reflex flexion and slight supination of the forearm.

How to Interpret

Showing 3 of 4 findings

Cervical Myelopathy

Inverted supinator reflex
Rule in
Somewhat helpfulWide CI
Rule out
Somewhat helpfulWide CI
Evidence:ModerateResearch in progress

Cervical Radiculopathy

Diminished or absent brachioradialis reflex (≤1+)
Rule in
Not helpfulWide CI
Rule out
Not helpful
Evidence:Moderate
Decreased or absent brachioradialis deep tendon reflex (BDTR; ≤1+)
Rule in
HelpfulDerived CI
Rule out
Somewhat helpfulWide CI
Evidence:Moderate

Related Bedside Tests

Biceps Deep Tendon ReflexMembers
Sign in
Biceps Deep Tendon Reflex
aka Biceps jerk
Rule in:VHPeripheral Neuropathy, SHCervical Radiculopathy, IECervical Myelopathy +2 more
Rule out:MHPeripheral Neuropathy, NHCervical Radiculopathy, IECervical Myelopathy +2 more
🎬Video coming soon
Triceps Deep Tendon Reflex
aka Triceps jerk
Rule in:SHCervical Radiculopathy, ICCervical Myelopathy
Rule out:SHCervical Radiculopathy, NHCervical Myelopathy
Cervical Spine Active Range of MotionMembers
Sign in
Cervical Spine Active Range of Motion
Rule in:NHCervical Radiculopathy, IECervical Myelopathy, IECervical Spondylosis
Rule out:NHCervical Radiculopathy, IECervical Myelopathy, IECervical Spondylosis
🎬Video coming soon
Shoulder Strength
Rule in:VHFunctional Neurologic Disease, HInfraspinatus Tear, SHSupraspinatus Tear +3 more
Rule out:HSupraspinatus Tear, SHFunctional Neurologic Disease, NHInfraspinatus Tear +3 more
🎬Video coming soon
Elbow Strength
Rule in:VHFunctional Neurologic Disease, HCervical Radiculopathy, NHDistal Biceps Tendon Rupture +1 more
Rule out:SHCervical Radiculopathy, SHFunctional Neurologic Disease, ICDistal Biceps Tendon Rupture +1 more
Spurling TestMembers
Sign in
Spurling Test
aka Foraminal compression test
Rule in:VHCervical Disc Herniation, IECervical Foraminal Stenosis
Rule out:VHCervical Disc Herniation, IECervical Foraminal Stenosis

Related Systems / Regions

ElbowNeurologicalUpper Extremities

Related Diagnoses

Cervical MyelopathyCervical Radiculopathy

Related Chief Complaints

Arm NumbnessArm PainArm WeaknessBalance ProblemsBiceps WeaknessBladder ProblemsClumsinessDifficulty WalkingHand ClumsinessNeck PainNeck StiffnessShooting Arm PainShoulder PainTingling in the Arm

References

Research in progress on one or more findings above; ratings may change.

  • Yoss RE, Corbin KB, MacCarty CS, Love JG. Significance of symptoms and signs in localization of involved root in cervical disk protrusion. Neurology. 1957;7(10):673-683. PMID: 13477342.
  • Cook C, Roman M, Stewart KM, Leithe LG, Isaacs R. Reliability and diagnostic accuracy of clinical special tests for myelopathy in patients seen for cervical dysfunction. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2009;39(3):172-178. doi:10.2519/jospt.2009.2938. PMID: 19252263.
  • Wainner RS, Fritz JM, Irrgang JJ, Boninger ML, Delitto A, Allison S. Reliability and diagnostic accuracy of the clinical examination and patient self-report measures for cervical radiculopathy. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2003;28(1):52-62. doi:10.1097/00007632-200301010-00014. PMID: 12544957.
  • Bickley LS, Szilagyi PG, Hoffman RM, Soriano RP. Bates' Guide to Physical Examination and History Taking. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer; 2021.
  • Swartz MH. Textbook of Physical Diagnosis: History and Examination. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025.

Research last updated September 9, 2026.