Evaluation of Nerve Conduction Studies in Lower Limb in Acute Spinal Cord Injury Patients

Abstract

Background: As the number of patients in spinal cord injury (SCI) is increasing day by day, the nerve conduction studies helps in forecasting functional recovery of patient. Aim and Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the nerve conduction studies in lower limb in acute SCI patients. Material and Methods: An observational descriptive study was carried out on 35 patients of acute SCI patients who were between the age of 16 and 65 years by using RMS EMG EP Mark-II. Motor and sensory studies were performed on tibial, peroneal and sural nerve respectively. Parameters recorded were latency, amplitude and conduction velocity. Result: Mean latency and mean conduction velocity of tibial nerve (right and left) increase with subsequent follow up but this change were non significant. Increment in mean amplitude of right and left tibial nerve was statistically highly significant (p<0.001, p=0.03 for right, left respectively). Mean latency of right and left peroneal nerve increase in subsequent follow-up but this change is non- significant. Increment in mean conduction velocity and mean amplitude of peroneal nerve was statistically significant (p=0.003, p=0.004) for right and left respectively; p<0.001 for amplitude of peroneal nerve (right and left both). Mean latency of right and left sural nerve was increased in subsequent follow up visits but this change was not significant. Increment in mean conduction velocity and mean amplitude was statistically highly significant (p<0.001) for right and left both of sural nerve. Conclusion: It is concluded from this study is that impact of SCI on latency, amplitude and conduction velocity of tibial, peroneal and sural nerve is very detrimental at onset of injury. But with subsequent follow up it has improved significantly, which can be related with recovery of lower limb.