Electrophysiological diagnosis of toe dorsiflexion dysfunction

Abstract

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of electrophysiological testing for toe dorsiflexion dysfunction in patients without a history of trauma. Methods The electrophysiological examination was conducted in 66 patients (77 sides) with toe dorsiflexion dysfunctions but without a definite history of trauma.The electrophysiological studies included sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV) testing of the sural nerve and common peroneal nerve, motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) testing of the tibial nerve and common peroneal nerve, electromyographic (EMG) testing of the muscles innervated by the tibial nerve, the common peroneal nerve, the obturator nerve, the superior gluteal nerve and the inferior gluteal nerve, as well as the paravertebral muscles. Results The electrophysiolngic testings revealed common peroneal nerve compression at the fibular head in 30 patients (30 sides), sciatic nerve compression by its outlet in the piriformis in 2 cases (2 sides), and nerve root compression by protrusion discs in 18 patients (18 sides). Six patients (11 sides)involved the anterior horn motor neuron diseases. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy was tested in 6 patients ( 10 sides). Four cases (6 sides) were normal. The total positive rate of the electrophysiological examination was 93.9%. Conclusion Electrophysiological testing might provide objective evidences for toe dorsiflexion dysfunction to patients without a history of trauma, which is important for the etiological diagnosis of these patients. Key words: Electrophysiology; Peripheral nerves; Diagnosis; Dorsiflexion dysfunction