Arm recoil

Arm recoil is a neurological examination of neonate for detecting the muscle tone.^[1][2]

Arm recoil
Purpose	Determining muscle tone in newborns

Procedure

The baby is placed supine, with forearm flexed at elbow. The elbow (forearm) is extended by pulling the hand; then released.^[3]

Observation

How quickly the forearm returns to flexed original position and the amount of flexion will designate a score.^[1]

• Grade 0: Arms remain extended 180 degrees or abnormal movements begin
• Grade 1: Minimal flexion, 140-180 degrees
• Grade 2: Slight flexion, 110-140 degrees
• Grade 3: Moderate flexion, 90-110 degrees
• Grade 4: Quick return to full flexion, less than 90 degrees

Conclusions

The greater the tone development (flexor tone), the brisker the recoil will be.^[1] This correlates to more advanced gestational age on the Ballard Scale.^[4]

Leg recoil can be assessed following the same principle.^[5]