Nokea
A 35 year-old reporter presents to your office for evaluation of back pain and weakness in his left leg. He was play-wrestling with his nephew and hurt his back 2 weeks ago. He states that he has noticed tingling in his left leg as well. He has not noticed incontinence of bowel or bladder function. You perform a physical examination and confirm that he is dragging his left foot when he walks and that his Achilles reflex is diminished. The diagnosis is a herniated disc. Which nerve root are you testing with the Achilles reflex?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Achilles reflex tests the S1 and S2 nerve roots. A diminished Achilles reflex may indicate a herniated disc compressing these nerve roots. C5, C6, L2, L3, L4, and L4, L5 are tested by other reflexes, such as the biceps, patellar, and brachioradialis reflexes.