Question

How would you do the calcaneal reflex? What nerve would you be making an assessment of by performing this reflext test, and specifically, which area of the spinal cord?

Answer 1

The Achilles tendon is located at the back of the foot where it joins it with the calf. The calcaneus or aquilian reflex becomes apparent when we hit this tendon, which will cause plantar flexion of the foot. The muscle that is activated here is the triples sural leg muscle. It is assessed through this reflex, the integrity of the spinal root S1 (nerve) and at the L5-S level the arc of this reflex is completed.