Knee Hammer

• Purpose: Primarily used for neurological examinations to test reflexes. The most common reflex tested with a knee hammer is the patellar reflex (knee-jerk reaction).
• Usage: The practitioner taps the tendon just below the kneecap with the hammer, which should elicit a quick contraction of the quadriceps muscle, causing the leg to kick outward.

Tuning Fork

• Purpose: Commonly used to assess hearing and vibration sense. It can also help evaluate bone conduction versus air conduction in hearing tests.
• Usage: When struck, a tuning fork vibrates and produces a sound. It can be placed on a bony prominence (like the forehead) or used to test vibratory sensation on the fingers or toes.

Clinical Importance

Both tools are essential for assessing neurological function and sensory perception, contributing to a comprehensive examination.