Physical examination maneuver

Physical Exam

Triceps Deep Tendon Reflex

also known as Triceps jerk
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Video coming soon

How to Perform

Support the patient's arm so it hangs relaxed with the elbow flexed to about 90° and strike the triceps tendon just above the olecranon with the reflex hammer. The normal response is reflex extension of the elbow.

How to Interpret

Showing all 3 findings

Cervical Myelopathy

Hyperactive / brisk triceps reflex (≥3+), with or without spread or clonus
Rule in
InconclusiveWide CI
Rule out
Not helpfulDerived CI
Evidence:ModerateResearch in progress

Cervical Radiculopathy

Diminished or absent triceps reflex (≤1+)
Rule in
Not helpful
Rule out
InconclusiveWide CI
Evidence:Moderate
Hyporeflexia (≤1+) at triceps
Rule in
Somewhat helpfulDerived CI
Rule out
Somewhat helpfulDerived 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
Brachioradialis Deep Tendon Reflex
aka Supinator jerk
Rule in:HCervical Radiculopathy, SHCervical Myelopathy
Rule out:SHCervical Myelopathy, SHCervical Radiculopathy
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
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
🎬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
Achilles Deep Tendon Reflex
aka Ankle jerk
Rule in:VHPeripheral Neuropathy, SHHypothyroidism, NHLumbosacral Radiculopathy +5 more
Rule out:VHPeripheral Neuropathy, MHHypothyroidism, NHLumbosacral Radiculopathy +5 more

Related Systems / Regions

ElbowNeurologicalUpper Extremities

Related Diagnoses

Cervical MyelopathyCervical RadiculopathyUpper Motor Neuron Lesion

Related Chief Complaints

Arm NumbnessArm PainArm WeaknessBladder ProblemsClumsinessHand ClumsinessLeg WeaknessNeck PainNeck StiffnessShooting Arm PainSpasticityStiffnessTingling in the ArmTingling in the Middle FingerTriceps Weakness

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.
  • 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 Jan 1;28(1):52-62. doi:10.1097/00007632-200301010-00014. PMID 12544957.
  • Rhee JM, Heflin JA, Hamasaki T, Freedman B. Prevalence of physical signs in cervical myelopathy: a prospective, controlled study. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2009;34(9):890-895. doi:10.1097/BRS.0b013e31819c944b. PMID: 19352222.
  • 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.