Does forearm mixed nerve conduction velocity reflect retrograde changes in carpal tunnel syndrome?

Abstract

The mixed nerve conduction velocity of the median nerve in the forearm diverged from the motor and sensory nerve conduction velocities and correlated poorly with the severity of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in 61 hands. In contrast, the motor and sensory nerve conduction velocities in the forearm correlated well with CTS severity. The mixed nerve conduction velocity in the forearm is probably determined by nonlesioned fibers such as those from the cutaneous palmar branch of the median nerve. The motor and sensory, but not the mixed nerve conduction velocities in the forearm may be used to estimate possible retrograde impairment in CTS.