• The brachioradialis tendon cannot be easily seen on some patients and may difficult to palpate, so knowledge of surface anatomy is important with this test.
• Novice clinicians tend to strike the distal forearm and/or actually strike distal to the wrist joint (i.e., the muscle does not cross the wrist joint).
• You should be able to palpate a response even if you cannot see it.

Alternative patient position

• The brachioradialis reflex can also be tested with the patient positioned in supine.