If a patient exhibits a flaccid elbow and wrist reflex but a normal triceps reflex after a motor vehicle accident, what level of cervical spine injury might be indicated?

The presentation of flaccid elbow and wrist reflexes combined with a normal triceps reflex suggests a disruption in the neurological pathways responsible for flexion at the elbow and wrist, while sparing the extension at the elbow.

The triceps reflex is primarily mediated by the C6-C7 nerve roots. A normal triceps reflex indicates that the C7 nerve root is functioning adequately, while the brachial plexus contributions responsible for the biceps (C5-C6) and wrist flexors are compromised, leading to decreased or absent reflexes in those areas.

A C5-C6 injury may result in weakness of the biceps and bracialis, affecting the elbow flexors, which would correlate with the flaccid reflex findings. However, if the triceps reflex remains intact, it is more indicative of an injury at a slightly higher level or something more confined, where the C6 function is disturbed but C7 is intact.

Diminished elbow flexion with a normal triceps reflex leads to a conclusion that the injury correlates with the C5-C6 level, impacting the reflexes but leaving the C7 function sufficient enough to maintain the triceps reflex. Thus, identifying a C5-C6 level injury aligns well