Onychia and Paronychia of the Toe â What You Can Do. The terms onychia and paronychia refer to a type of bacterial or fungal infection that strikes the fingernails and toenails. Onychia is an infection of the nail itself, which causes inflammation of the nail and swelling of the surrounding tissue. Paronychia is an infection of the surrounding tissue, where the nail meets the skin; a paronychia infection causes inflammation, and may also lead to the formation of pus-filled abscesses.
Deep Tendon Reflexes. Using a reflex hammer, deep tendon reflexes are elicited in all 4 extremities. Note the extent or power of the reflex, both visually and by palpation of the tendon or muscle in question.
deep tendon reflex (DTR) a brisk contraction of a muscle in response to a sudden stretch induced by a sharp tap by a finger or rubber hammer on the tendon of insertion of the muscle. Absence of the reflex may be caused by damage to the muscle, peripheral nerve, nerve roots, or spinal cord at that level. A hyperactive reflex may indicate disease of the pyramidal tract above the level of the reflex arc being tested. Generalized hyperactivity of DTRs may be caused by hyperthyroidism. Kinds of DTRs include Achilles tendon reflex, biceps reflex, brachioradialis reflex, patellar reflex, and triceps reflex.