A quick reference for physical therapists.
It's important for PTs to check reflexes when a gait abnormality is observed, when another focal impairment is identified, or when a patient presents with an as yet unexplained change in functional capacity. While it's rare for us to be the only providers checking them, if we observe a telltale pattern of weakness (e.g., ascending stocking-glove distribution of strength impairment with proprioception loss) and can then pair that with hyporeflexia, we have an actionable constellation of physical findings to help our colleagues decide where to go next.