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Basics of Nerve Conduction Velocity

Indications 

  • —Pathologies of nerve, muscle and neuromuscular junction

  • —Entrapment neuropathies

  • Carpal tunnel syndrome

  • Ulnar neuropathy

  • —Brachial plexus injuries

  • —Radiculopathy

  • —Polyneuropathies

  • Diabetes

  • —Motor neuron disease

  • ALS

Contraindications

  • Decreased Sensation

  • Impaired Cognition

  • Metal Implants

  • Open Wound

Procedure:

  • Ground electrode placed on the back of the patient's hand

  • Must apply gel to all electrodes and stimulator prongs

  • Put the black (negative) recording electrode more proximal and the red (positive) recording electrode more distal

  • For Motor study: Measure 8 cm from black electrode and stimulate on the nerve being tested. Move proximally up the arm to record two more sites.  Measure the between stim sites in order to calculate NCV.

  • For Sensory study: Measure 14 cm from black electrode and stimulate on the nerve being tested

  • —Recording/reference electrodes:

    • Motor: on muscle

    • Sensory: over nerve (on fingers)

  • Nerve Stimulation:

    • —Stimulator is placed over a nerve causing depolarization of the nerve at the cathode

Normal Values

 

 

 

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