How can you grade or score strength of reflexes?
Examination of reflexes can aid in localizing the cause of weakness in patients. The reflexes can be diminished or exaggerated. Normal body reflexes include jaw jerk, triceps reflex, biceps reflex, supinator reflex or knee jerk reflex. The system used to score it is called grading. It is scored from 0 to 4. Zero grade means no reflex seen (hyporeflexia). +1 means diminished low response (low). +2 signifies average (normal). +3 signifies brisk response (high normal) and +4 marks very brisk response (hyper reflexia). Hypereflexia is seen in upper motor neuron lesions and hyporeflexia is seen in lower motor neuron lesions.