The medial hamstring is important for the exploration of L5 radiculopathy. It is examined as follows: With the patient in the Supine position, hip slightly flexed, externally rotated and abducted, the ipsilateral knee is semi flexed and supported by one of the examiner's hands. The reflex muscle contraction is elicited by striking the index finger of the supporting hand placed on the medial hamstring tendon (tendons of semitendinosus, semimembranosus) just above the knee join (postero-medially) with a reflex hammer. The normal response is contraction of the medial mass of hamstring muscles. Knee flexion is hardly observed because of friction between heel and couch. The action of the semimembranosus and semitendinosus muscles is to extend the hip joint, flex and internally rotate the knee. T...
