What does PTR mean in PHYSIOLOGY

The purpose of a Patellar Tendon Reflex test is to assess the integrity of the knee joint and its related muscles by testing how well they respond to external stimuli. It can also be used to detect any underlying medical conditions that may be impacting an individual's ability to move their feet and legs properly.

During a Patellar Tendon Reflex test, your doctor will use a small hammer to strike one of your kneecaps gently in order to cause your lower leg muscles to contract reflexively. Then, they will be able to observe how quickly and strongly your knees respond in order to diagnose any potential health issues.

During the test, the doctor will look for certain signs that indicate either an abnormality or an indication of injury or illness within the knee joint and surrounding musculature. They may note differences in speed, strength, degree of movement or even involuntary jerking movements as cues for further evaluation.

Doctors usually suggest that patients get tested with a Patellar Tendon reflex when they are experiencing difficulty moving their feet and legs correctly, during routine physical check-ups, or if there appears to be something wrong with their lower extremities such as pain or tenderness in their joints.

There are very few risks associated with this type of reflex test since it involves only mild pressure being applied briefly to the patella tendon area at most; however, some people might experience slight discomfort during this procedure.