The Usefulness of Deep Tendon Reflexes in the Diagnosis of Lumbar Spine Diseases: A Narrative Review

The deep tendon reflex (DTR) is a more objective indicator than sensory and muscle assessments for lumbar spine disorders. Further, unlike sensory and muscle assessments that require patient cooperation, the DTR can be assessed even in patients with impaired consciousness or cognition. Therefore, DTR assessment with a hammer is an essential neurological test for lumbar spinal diseases. However, despite the usefulness of DTR assessment, few reports have described the significance of increased, diminished, or absent deep lower extremity reflexes in lumbar spine diseases. This review outlines the history of DTR of the lower limbs and describes the techniques, evaluation, and interpretation of DTR for the diagnosis of lumbar spine diseases. The patellar tendon reflex (PTR) was the first parameter of lower extremity DTR identified to have clinical usefulness, followed by the Achilles tendon reflex (ATR), pathological reflexes (Babinski reflex), and reflex enhancement (Jendrassik maneuver). They have now become an integral part of clinical examination. To determine whether an increase or decrease in DTR is pathological, it is necessary to determine left-right differences, differences between the upper and lower extremities, and the overall balance of the limb. There are several critical limitations and pitfalls in interpreting DTRs for lumbar spine diseases. Attention should be paid to examiner and patient factors that make the DTR assessment less objective. When there is a discrepancy between clinical and imaging findings and the level of the lumbosacral nerve root disorder is difficult to diagnose, the presence of a lumbosacral transitional vertebra, nerve root malformation, or furcal nerve should be considered. In addition, assessing the DTR after the gait loading test and standing extension loading test, which induce lumbosacral neuropathy, will help provide a rationale for the diagnosis.