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ਨਸਾਂ ਦੇ ਟੈਸਟ ਅਤੇ ਨਰਵ ਕੰਡਕਸ਼ਨ ਸਟੱਡੀਜ਼
What nerve conduction studies and EMG are, why they are done for carpal tunnel and other nerve problems, what to expect, and how accurate they are.
ਇਹ ਕੀ ਹੈ¶
ਨਸਾਂ ਦੇ ਟੈਸਟ ਮਾਪਦੇ ਹਨ ਕਿ ਤੁਹਾਡੀਆਂ ਨਸਾਂ (nerves) ਬਿਜਲੀ ਦੇ ਸੰਕੇਤਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਕਿੰਨੀ ਚੰਗੀ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਅੱਗੇ ਲੈ ਜਾਂਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ। ਨਸਾਂ ਦੇ ਕੰਮ ਦੀ ਜਾਂਚ ਕਰਨ ਦੇ ਦੋ ਬਿਜਲਈ ਤਰੀਕੇ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਦੋਵੇਂ ਅਮਲ ਵਿੱਚ ਲਾਭਦਾਇਕ ਸਾਬਤ ਹੋਏ ਹਨ [1]। ਮੁੱਖ ਟੈਸਟ ਨੂੰ ਨਰਵ ਕੰਡਕਸ਼ਨ ਸਟੱਡੀ (nerve conduction study, ਨਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਸੰਕੇਤ ਦੀ ਰਫ਼ਤਾਰ ਦੀ ਜਾਂਚ) ਕਿਹਾ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਇੱਕ ਛੋਟਾ ਜਿਹਾ ਯੰਤਰ ਤੁਹਾਡੀ ਨਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਬਿਜਲੀ ਦਾ ਇੱਕ ਬਹੁਤ ਛੋਟਾ ਝਟਕਾ ਭੇਜਦਾ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਦਰਜ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਸੰਕੇਤ ਕਿੰਨੀ ਤੇਜ਼ੀ ਨਾਲ ਚੱਲਦਾ ਹੈ। ਜੇ ਕੋਈ ਨਸ ਦੱਬੀ ਹੋਈ ਹੈ ਜਾਂ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਨੁਕਸਾਨ ਪਹੁੰਚਿਆ ਹੈ, ਤਾਂ ਸੰਕੇਤ ਹੌਲੀ ਜਾਂ ਕਮਜ਼ੋਰ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ।
ਇਹ ਟੈਸਟ ਸਭ ਤੋਂ ਵੱਧ ਕਾਰਪਲ ਟਨਲ ਸਿੰਡਰੋਮ (carpal tunnel syndrome, ਗੁੱਟ ਵਿੱਚ ਨਸ ਦਾ ਦੱਬਣਾ) ਲਈ ਵਰਤੇ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਜਿਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਤੁਹਾਡੇ ਗੁੱਟ ਦੇ ਅਗਲੇ ਪਾਸੇ ਵਾਲੀ ਨਸ ਉੱਤੇ ਦਬਾਅ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ। ਇਸ ਹਾਲਤ ਲਈ ਸਰਜਰੀ ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਦੀ ਜਾਂਚ ਵਿੱਚ ਇਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਇੱਕ ਲਾਜ਼ਮੀ ਹਿੱਸਾ ਮੰਨਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ [2]। ਜ਼ਿਆਦਾਤਰ ਡਾਕਟਰ ਇਸ ਪੁਸ਼ਟੀ ਤੋਂ ਬਿਨਾਂ ਓਪਰੇਸ਼ਨ ਨਹੀਂ ਕਰਨਗੇ [3]। ਇਹ ਟੈਸਟ ਨਸਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਹੋਰ ਸਮੱਸਿਆਵਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਵੀ ਮਦਦ ਕਰ ਸਕਦੇ ਹਨ, ਜਿਵੇਂ ਕੂਹਣੀ ਵਾਲੀ ਨਸ ਉੱਤੇ ਦਬਾਅ (ਕਿਊਬਿਟਲ ਟਨਲ ਸਿੰਡਰੋਮ, cubital tunnel syndrome) [4]।
ਆਮ ਤੌਰ 'ਤੇ ਉਸੇ ਮੁਲਾਕਾਤ ਦੌਰਾਨ ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਇੱਕ ਦੂਜਾ ਟੈਸਟ ਵੀ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ। ਇਸ ਲਈ ਕੁਝ ਮਾਸਪੇਸ਼ੀਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਇੱਕ ਬਰੀਕ ਸੂਈ ਲਾਈ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ। ਇਹ ਜਾਂਚਦਾ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਮਾਸਪੇਸ਼ੀਆਂ ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਨਸਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਮਿਲਦੇ ਸੰਕੇਤਾਂ ਦਾ ਕਿੰਨੀ ਚੰਗੀ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਜਵਾਬ ਦਿੰਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ। ਇਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੋਵਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਮਿਲਾ ਕੇ ਇਲੈਕਟ੍ਰੋਡਾਇਗਨੌਸਟਿਕ ਸਟੱਡੀਜ਼ (electrodiagnostic studies) ਕਿਹਾ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਜਿਸ ਦਾ ਸਿੱਧਾ ਮਤਲਬ ਹੈ ਉਹ ਟੈਸਟ ਜੋ ਨਸਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਮਾਸਪੇਸ਼ੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਜਾਂਚ ਲਈ ਬਿਜਲੀ ਵਰਤਦੇ ਹਨ।
ਇਹ ਟੈਸਟ ਇਸ ਲਈ ਕੰਮ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ ਕਿਉਂਕਿ ਨਸਾਂ ਉਸੇ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਸੰਕੇਤ ਲੈ ਜਾਂਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ ਜਿਵੇਂ ਤਾਰਾਂ ਬਿਜਲੀ ਦਾ ਕਰੰਟ ਲੈ ਜਾਂਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ। ਦੱਬੀ ਹੋਈ ਨਸ ਇੱਕ ਨੱਪੀ ਹੋਈ ਤਾਰ ਵਾਂਗ ਵਿਹਾਰ ਕਰਦੀ ਹੈ, ਇਸ ਲਈ ਉਸ ਵਿੱਚੋਂ ਲੰਘਦਾ ਸੰਕੇਤ ਦੇਰੀ ਨਾਲ ਪਹੁੰਚਦਾ ਹੈ ਜਾਂ ਘਟ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਨਤੀਜੇ ਇਹ ਮਾਪ ਦਿੰਦੇ ਹਨ ਕਿ ਨਸ ਦਾ ਕੰਮ ਕਿੰਨਾ ਵਿਗੜਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਬਿਮਾਰੀ ਦੀ ਕੁੱਲ ਗੰਭੀਰਤਾ ਦਾ ਇਹ ਸਭ ਤੋਂ ਵਧੀਆ ਉਪਲਬਧ ਸੂਚਕ ਹੈ [5]। ਇਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਟੈਸਟਾਂ ਦੀ ਕੀਮਤ ਸਹੀ ਪਛਾਣ ਕਰਨ ਅਤੇ ਇਹ ਅੰਦਾਜ਼ਾ ਲਾਉਣ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਹਾਲਤ ਕਿੰਨੀ ਗੰਭੀਰ ਹੈ, ਨਾ ਕਿ ਇਹ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਦੱਸਣ ਵਿੱਚ ਕਿ ਸਰਜਰੀ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਮਹਿਸੂਸ ਕਰੋਗੇ [6]।
ਇੱਕ ਗੱਲ ਜਾਣਨ ਯੋਗ ਹੈ: ਟੈਸਟ ਨਾਰਮਲ ਆਉਣ ਦਾ ਮਤਲਬ ਇਹ ਨਹੀਂ ਕਿ ਕਾਰਪਲ ਟਨਲ ਸਿੰਡਰੋਮ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੈ, ਕਿਉਂਕਿ ਨਸ ਉੱਤੇ ਦਬਾਅ ਆਉਂਦਾ-ਜਾਂਦਾ ਰਹਿ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ।
ਕੀ ਇਹ ਕਾਰਗਰ ਹੈ?¶
ਸੱਚਾ ਜਵਾਬ ਇਹ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਇਹ ਟੈਸਟ ਕੁਝ ਕੰਮਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਚੰਗੇ ਹਨ ਅਤੇ ਕੁਝ ਵਿੱਚ ਸੀਮਤ। ਕਾਰਪਲ ਟਨਲ ਸਿੰਡਰੋਮ ਦੀ ਜਾਂਚ ਵੇਲੇ ਇਹ ਇੱਕ ਲਾਭਦਾਇਕ ਵਾਧਾ ਹਨ, ਖ਼ਾਸ ਕਰਕੇ ਜਦੋਂ ਮਿਆਰੀ ਟੈਸਟ ਨਾਰਮਲ ਆਉਂਦੇ ਹਨ [7]। ਨਸ ਦੇ ਇੱਕ ਖ਼ਾਸ ਟੈਸਟ ਬਾਰੇ ਇੱਕ ਅਧਿਐਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਪਾਇਆ ਗਿਆ ਕਿ ਇਸ ਨੇ 69% ਕੇਸਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਇਹ ਹਾਲਤ ਫੜ ਲਈ, ਅਤੇ ਹਰ ਪਾਜ਼ਿਟਿਵ ਨਤੀਜਾ ਸਹੀ ਸੀ। ਜਦੋਂ ਇਸ ਟੈਸਟ ਨੂੰ ਅਹਿਸਾਸ ਮਾਪਣ ਦੇ ਇੱਕ ਹੋਰ ਤਰੀਕੇ ਨਾਲ ਮਿਲਾਇਆ ਗਿਆ, ਤਾਂ ਇਸ ਨੇ 84% ਕੇਸ ਫੜ ਲਏ [8]।
ਇਹ ਟੈਸਟ ਸਰਜਰੀ ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਪਛਾਣ ਦੀ ਪੁਸ਼ਟੀ ਕਰਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਵੀ ਮਦਦ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ। ਜਦੋਂ ਤੁਹਾਡੀਆਂ ਨਿਸ਼ਾਨੀਆਂ ਅਤੇ ਲੱਛਣ ਨਸ ਉੱਤੇ ਹਲਕੇ ਤੋਂ ਦਰਮਿਆਨੇ ਦਬਾਅ ਵੱਲ ਇਸ਼ਾਰਾ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ ਅਤੇ ਸਰਜਰੀ ਬਾਰੇ ਸੋਚਿਆ ਜਾ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ, ਤਾਂ ਵਾਧੂ ਟੈਸਟ ਇਸ ਗੱਲ ਦੀ ਸੰਭਾਵਨਾ ਵਧਾ ਸਕਦੇ ਹਨ ਕਿ ਸਰਜਰੀ ਕਿਸੇ ਅਸਲ, ਇਲਾਜਯੋਗ ਸਮੱਸਿਆ ਲਈ ਕੀਤੀ ਜਾ ਰਹੀ ਹੈ [9]। ਇੱਕ ਅਧਿਐਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਸਿਰਫ਼ ਲੱਛਣਾਂ ਦੇ ਆਧਾਰ ਉੱਤੇ ਪਛਾਣੇ ਗਏ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਦੀ ਗਿਣਤੀ (73%) ਅਤੇ ਇਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਟੈਸਟਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਅਲਟਰਾਸਾਊਂਡ ਨਾਲ ਪੁਸ਼ਟੀ ਹੋਏ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਦੀ ਗਿਣਤੀ (51%) ਵਿਚਕਾਰ ਵੱਡਾ ਫ਼ਰਕ ਪਾਇਆ ਗਿਆ [10]। ਇਹੀ ਫ਼ਰਕ ਦੱਸਦਾ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਟੈਸਟ ਕਿਉਂ ਮਾਇਨੇ ਰੱਖਦੇ ਹਨ: ਇਹ ਛਾਂਟ ਕੇ ਦੱਸਦੇ ਹਨ ਕਿ ਕਿਸ ਨੂੰ ਸੱਚਮੁੱਚ ਨਸ ਦੀ ਅਜਿਹੀ ਸਮੱਸਿਆ ਹੈ ਜਿਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਸਰਜਰੀ ਮਦਦ ਕਰ ਸਕਦੀ ਹੈ।
ਇਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਸੀਮਾਵਾਂ ਵੀ ਹਨ। ਇਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਟੈਸਟਾਂ ਦੀ ਗੁਣਵੱਤਾ ਟੈਸਟ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਵੱਖ-ਵੱਖ ਹੁੰਦੀ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਕੁਝ ਰਿਪੋਰਟਾਂ ਹੋਰਨਾਂ ਨਾਲੋਂ ਵੱਧ ਵੇਰਵਾ ਦਿੰਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ [11]। ਇਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਪੜ੍ਹਨ ਦੇ ਮਾਪਦੰਡਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਵੀ ਹੋਰ ਸਪਸ਼ਟ ਕਰਨ ਦੀ ਲੋੜ ਹੈ, ਤਾਂ ਜੋ ਪਛਾਣ ਸਹੀ ਹੋਵੇ ਅਤੇ ਲੋੜ ਨਾ ਹੋਣ 'ਤੇ ਸਰਜਰੀ ਨਾ ਕੀਤੀ ਜਾਵੇ [12]। ਅਤੇ ਟੈਸਟ ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਸਭ ਕੁਝ ਨਹੀਂ ਦੱਸ ਸਕਦੇ। ਇਹ ਨਸ ਨੂੰ ਮਾਪਦੇ ਹਨ, ਤੁਹਾਡੇ ਲੱਛਣਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਨਹੀਂ।
ਕੁਝ ਨਤੀਜੇ ਰਲੇ-ਮਿਲੇ ਹਨ। ਸਟੀਰੌਇਡ ਟੀਕੇ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਟੈਸਟ ਦੇ ਨਤੀਜਿਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਆਈਆਂ ਤਬਦੀਲੀਆਂ ਦੋ ਸਾਲਾਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਮਹੱਤਵਪੂਰਨ ਨਹੀਂ ਸਨ [13]। ਦੂਜੇ ਪਾਸੇ, ਟੀਕੇ ਦਾ ਚੰਗਾ ਅਸਰ ਹੋਣਾ ਇਸ ਬਾਰੇ ਇੱਕ ਮਦਦਗਾਰ ਸੰਕੇਤ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਸਰਜਰੀ ਦਾ ਨਤੀਜਾ ਕਿਹੋ ਜਿਹਾ ਰਹਿ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ [14]। ਟੈਸਟਾਂ ਦਾ ਇੱਕ ਮਾਪ, ਜਿਸ ਨੂੰ ਡਿਸਟਲ ਮੋਟਰ ਲੇਟੈਂਸੀ (distal motor latency) ਕਿਹਾ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਜਿਸ ਦਾ ਸਿੱਧਾ ਮਤਲਬ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਸੰਕੇਤ ਨੂੰ ਮਾਸਪੇਸ਼ੀ ਤੱਕ ਪਹੁੰਚਣ ਵਿੱਚ ਕਿੰਨਾ ਸਮਾਂ ਲੱਗਦਾ ਹੈ, ਇਹ ਅੰਦਾਜ਼ਾ ਲਾਉਣ ਵਿੱਚ ਕੁਝ ਹੱਦ ਤੱਕ ਲਾਭਦਾਇਕ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਸਰਜਰੀ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਰਹੋਗੇ [15]।
ਇਸ ਲਈ ਇਹ ਟੈਸਟ ਪਛਾਣ ਦੇ ਸਾਧਨ ਵਜੋਂ ਚੰਗਾ ਕੰਮ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ। ਤੁਹਾਡੀ ਸਿਹਤਯਾਬੀ ਬਾਰੇ ਭਵਿੱਖਬਾਣੀ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲੇ ਸਾਧਨ ਵਜੋਂ ਇਹ ਘੱਟ ਭਰੋਸੇਯੋਗ ਹਨ।
ਖ਼ਤਰੇ ਕੀ ਹਨ?¶
ਨਸਾਂ ਦੇ ਟੈਸਟ ਸੁਰੱਖਿਅਤ ਹਨ, ਪਰ ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਪਤਾ ਹੋਣਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਕੀ ਉਮੀਦ ਰੱਖਣੀ ਹੈ। ਸਭ ਤੋਂ ਆਮ ਅਸਰ ਖ਼ੁਦ ਟੈਸਟ ਦੌਰਾਨ ਹੋਣ ਵਾਲੀ ਬੇਆਰਾਮੀ ਹੈ। ਬਿਜਲੀ ਦੇ ਝਟਕੇ ਛੋਟੀਆਂ ਥਪਕੀਆਂ ਜਾਂ ਹਲਕੀਆਂ ਚੀਸਾਂ ਵਰਗੇ ਮਹਿਸੂਸ ਹੁੰਦੇ ਹਨ। ਜੇ ਕਿਸੇ ਮਾਸਪੇਸ਼ੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਬਰੀਕ ਸੂਈ ਲਾਈ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ, ਤਾਂ ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਪਲ ਭਰ ਲਈ ਚੋਭ ਮਹਿਸੂਸ ਹੋਵੇਗੀ, ਅਤੇ ਬਾਅਦ ਵਿੱਚ ਇੱਕ-ਦੋ ਦਿਨ ਮਾਸਪੇਸ਼ੀ ਦੁਖ ਸਕਦੀ ਹੈ। ਟੈਸਟ ਦਾ ਮੁੰਦਰੀ ਵਾਲੀ ਉਂਗਲ ਵਾਲਾ ਰੂਪ ਜਲਦੀ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਤੁਹਾਡੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਬਹੁਤ ਘੱਟ ਬੋਝ ਪਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ [16]।
ਬਿਜਲੀ ਦੇ ਝਟਕਿਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਤੁਹਾਡੀ ਚਮੜੀ ਜਾਂ ਟਿਸ਼ੂ ਉੱਤੇ ਕੋਈ ਸਥਾਈ ਅਸਰ ਨਹੀਂ ਪੈਂਦਾ। ਝਟਕੇ ਛੋਟੇ ਹੁੰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਇਹ ਚਮੜੀ ਨੂੰ ਨੁਕਸਾਨ ਪਹੁੰਚਾਏ ਬਿਨਾਂ ਉਸ ਵਿੱਚੋਂ ਲੰਘ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ। ਜੇ ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਸੂਈ ਵਾਲਾ ਟੈਸਟ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਤਾਂ ਸੂਈ ਵਾਲੀਆਂ ਥਾਵਾਂ ਥੋੜ੍ਹੀਆਂ ਦੁਖਦੀਆਂ ਹੋ ਸਕਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਛੋਟਾ ਜਿਹਾ ਨੀਲ ਪੈ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ। ਇਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਆਪ ਠੀਕ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ।
ਸਬੂਤ ਤੁਹਾਡੇ ਬਾਕੀ ਸਰੀਰ ਉੱਤੇ ਹੋਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਅਸਰਾਂ ਦਾ ਵਰਣਨ ਨਹੀਂ ਕਰਦੇ, ਅਤੇ ਨਾ ਹੀ ਇਹ ਇਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਟੈਸਟਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਹੋਣ ਵਾਲੀਆਂ ਦੁਰਲੱਭ ਪਰ ਗੰਭੀਰ ਪੇਚੀਦਗੀਆਂ ਦਾ ਵਰਣਨ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ। ਇਹ ਗੱਲ ਸਾਫ਼-ਸਾਫ਼ ਕਹਿਣੀ ਬਣਦੀ ਹੈ: ਇਸ ਸਫ਼ੇ ਦੇ ਪਿੱਛੇ ਵਾਲੇ ਅਧਿਐਨ ਇਸ ਬਾਰੇ ਦੱਸਦੇ ਹਨ ਕਿ ਟੈਸਟ ਕਿੰਨੀ ਚੰਗੀ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਪਛਾਣ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ ਅਤੇ ਅੰਦਾਜ਼ਾ ਲਾਉਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਨੁਕਸਾਨਾਂ ਬਾਰੇ ਨਹੀਂ, ਇਸ ਲਈ ਗੰਭੀਰ ਖ਼ਤਰਿਆਂ ਬਾਰੇ ਇੱਥੇ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਜਾਣਕਾਰੀ ਸੀਮਤ ਹੈ।
ਇੱਕ ਖ਼ਤਰਾ ਸਰੀਰਕ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੈ। ਵੱਖ-ਵੱਖ ਟੈਸਟ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲੇ ਟੈਸਟਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਵੱਖ-ਵੱਖ ਢੰਗ ਨਾਲ ਪੜ੍ਹ ਸਕਦੇ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਕੁਝ ਰਿਪੋਰਟਾਂ ਹੋਰਨਾਂ ਨਾਲੋਂ ਵੱਧ ਵੇਰਵਾ ਦਿੰਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ [11]। ਜਿਹੜੀ ਰਿਪੋਰਟ ਛੋਟੀਆਂ-ਮੋਟੀਆਂ ਗੜਬੜੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਬਿਨਾਂ ਸਮਝਾਏ ਗਿਣਾ ਦਿੰਦੀ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਗ਼ਲਤ ਸਿੱਟੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਪਹੁੰਚਾ ਸਕਦੀ ਹੈ [17]। ਟੈਸਟਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਪੜ੍ਹਨ ਦੇ ਮਾਪਦੰਡਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਵੀ ਹੋਰ ਸਪਸ਼ਟ ਕਰਨ ਦੀ ਲੋੜ ਹੈ, ਤਾਂ ਜੋ ਪਛਾਣ ਸਹੀ ਹੋਵੇ ਅਤੇ ਲੋੜ ਨਾ ਹੋਣ 'ਤੇ ਸਰਜਰੀ ਨਾ ਕੀਤੀ ਜਾਵੇ [12]। ਮੁੱਖ ਚੀਜ਼ ਜੋ ਗ਼ਲਤ ਹੋ ਸਕਦੀ ਹੈ ਉਹ ਇਹ ਹੈ: ਖ਼ੁਦ ਟੈਸਟ ਨਹੀਂ, ਸਗੋਂ ਅਧੂਰੀ ਜਾਂ ਅਸਪਸ਼ਟ ਰਿਪੋਰਟ ਉੱਤੇ ਆਧਾਰਿਤ ਪਛਾਣ।
ਜੇ ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਕਾਰਪਲ ਟਨਲ ਸਿੰਡਰੋਮ ਲਈ ਸਟੀਰੌਇਡ ਟੀਕਾ ਲੱਗਿਆ ਹੈ, ਤਾਂ ਉਸ ਟੀਕੇ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਟੈਸਟ ਦੇ ਨਤੀਜਿਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਆਈਆਂ ਤਬਦੀਲੀਆਂ ਦੋ ਸਾਲਾਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਮਹੱਤਵਪੂਰਨ ਨਹੀਂ ਸਨ [13]। ਇਸ ਦਾ ਮਤਲਬ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਟੀਕਾ ਲੰਮੇ ਸਮੇਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਟੈਸਟਾਂ ਦੇ ਨਤੀਜਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਬਦਲਦਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਜਾਪਦਾ, ਇਸ ਲਈ ਟੀਕੇ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਦੁਬਾਰਾ ਕੀਤਾ ਟੈਸਟ ਵੀ ਤੁਹਾਡੀ ਨਸ ਦੀ ਠੀਕ-ਠਾਕ ਤਸਵੀਰ ਦੇਣਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ।
ਆਪਣੇ ਡਾਕਟਰ ਜਾਂ ਟੈਸਟ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲੇ ਵਿਅਕਤੀ ਨੂੰ ਕਹੋ ਕਿ ਉਹ ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਰਿਪੋਰਟ ਸਮਝਾਉਣ। ਟੈਸਟ ਵਿੱਚ ਕੀ ਮਿਲਿਆ ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਦਾ ਕੀ ਮਤਲਬ ਹੈ, ਇਸ ਦਾ ਸਪਸ਼ਟ ਵਰਣਨ ਇੱਕ ਚੰਗੇ ਨਤੀਜੇ ਦਾ ਹਿੱਸਾ ਹੈ।
ਕੀ ਇਹ ਤੁਹਾਡੇ ਲਈ ਠੀਕ ਹੈ?¶
ਜੇ ਤੁਹਾਡੇ ਲੱਛਣ ਕਾਰਪਲ ਟਨਲ ਸਿੰਡਰੋਮ ਵੱਲ ਇਸ਼ਾਰਾ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ ਅਤੇ ਸਰਜਰੀ ਬਾਰੇ ਵਿਚਾਰ ਹੋ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ, ਤਾਂ ਇਹ ਟੈਸਟ ਆਮ ਤੌਰ 'ਤੇ ਯੋਜਨਾ ਦਾ ਹਿੱਸਾ ਹੁੰਦੇ ਹਨ। ਜ਼ਿਆਦਾਤਰ ਡਾਕਟਰ ਇਸ ਪੁਸ਼ਟੀ ਤੋਂ ਬਿਨਾਂ ਓਪਰੇਸ਼ਨ ਨਹੀਂ ਕਰਨਗੇ [3]। ਵਾਧੂ ਟੈਸਟ ਇਸ ਗੱਲ ਦੀ ਸੰਭਾਵਨਾ ਵਧਾ ਸਕਦੇ ਹਨ ਕਿ ਸਰਜਰੀ ਨਸ ਦੀ ਕਿਸੇ ਅਸਲ, ਇਲਾਜਯੋਗ ਸਮੱਸਿਆ ਲਈ ਕੀਤੀ ਜਾ ਰਹੀ ਹੈ [9]। ਇਹ ਮਾਇਨੇ ਰੱਖਦਾ ਹੈ, ਕਿਉਂਕਿ ਟੈਸਟ ਸਹੀ ਪਛਾਣ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ ਅਤੇ ਦਿਖਾਉਂਦੇ ਹਨ ਕਿ ਤੁਹਾਡੀ ਨਸ ਉੱਤੇ ਦਬਾਅ ਕਿੰਨਾ ਗੰਭੀਰ ਹੈ [6]।
ਜੇ ਤੁਹਾਡੇ ਲੱਛਣ ਅਸਪਸ਼ਟ ਹਨ ਜਾਂ ਆਉਂਦੇ-ਜਾਂਦੇ ਰਹਿੰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਤਾਂ ਇਹ ਟੈਸਟ ਘੱਟ ਲਾਭਦਾਇਕ ਹੋ ਸਕਦੇ ਹਨ। ਹੋ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਟੈਸਟ ਵਾਲੇ ਦਿਨ ਨਸ ਉੱਤੇ ਦਬਾਅ ਫੜਿਆ ਨਾ ਜਾਵੇ। ਨਾਰਮਲ ਨਤੀਜੇ ਦਾ ਮਤਲਬ ਇਹ ਨਹੀਂ ਕਿ ਕਾਰਪਲ ਟਨਲ ਸਿੰਡਰੋਮ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੈ। ਟੈਸਟ ਇਹ ਵੀ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਨਹੀਂ ਦੱਸ ਸਕਦੇ ਕਿ ਸਰਜਰੀ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਮਹਿਸੂਸ ਕਰੋਗੇ, ਇਸ ਲਈ ਇਹ ਪਛਾਣ ਦਾ ਸਾਧਨ ਹਨ, ਤੁਹਾਡੀ ਸਿਹਤਯਾਬੀ ਬਾਰੇ ਕੋਈ ਵਾਅਦਾ ਨਹੀਂ [6]।
ਮੁੱਖ ਬਦਲ ਅਲਟਰਾਸਾਊਂਡ ਹੈ, ਜਿਸ ਨਾਲ ਵੀ ਨਸ ਉੱਤੇ ਦਬਾਅ ਦੀ ਜਾਂਚ ਕੀਤੀ ਜਾ ਸਕਦੀ ਹੈ [9]। ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਡਾਕਟਰ ਇਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਵਿੱਚੋਂ ਇੱਕ ਜਾਂ ਦੋਵਾਂ ਦਾ ਸੁਝਾਅ ਦੇ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ। ਹਰੇਕ ਦੀਆਂ ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਖ਼ੂਬੀਆਂ ਹਨ, ਅਤੇ ਸਹੀ ਚੋਣ ਤੁਹਾਡੇ ਲੱਛਣਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਜਾਂਚ ਉੱਤੇ ਨਿਰਭਰ ਕਰਦੀ ਹੈ।
ਇਹ ਫ਼ੈਸਲਾ ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਡਾਕਟਰ ਨਾਲ ਮਿਲ ਕੇ ਕਰਨਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ। ਪੁੱਛੋ ਕਿ ਟੈਸਟ ਤੋਂ ਕੀ ਪਤਾ ਲੱਗਣ ਦੀ ਉਮੀਦ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਜੇ ਨਤੀਜਾ ਨਾਰਮਲ ਆਇਆ ਤਾਂ ਕੀ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ। ਜੇ ਤੁਹਾਡੇ ਮਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਖ਼ੁਦ ਟੈਸਟ ਦੇ ਖ਼ਤਰਿਆਂ ਬਾਰੇ ਸਵਾਲ ਹਨ, ਤਾਂ ਉੱਪਰ ਖ਼ਤਰਿਆਂ ਵਾਲਾ ਹਿੱਸਾ ਪੜ੍ਹੋ।
ਸਾਰ¶
ਜੇ ਕਾਰਪਲ ਟਨਲ ਸਿੰਡਰੋਮ ਲਈ ਸਰਜਰੀ ਬਾਰੇ ਸੋਚਿਆ ਜਾ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ, ਤਾਂ ਇਹ ਟੈਸਟ ਕਰਵਾਉਣੇ ਫ਼ਾਇਦੇਮੰਦ ਹਨ। ਇਹ ਪੁਸ਼ਟੀ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ ਕਿ ਤੁਹਾਡੀ ਨਸ ਉੱਤੇ ਦਬਾਅ ਅਸਲ ਹੈ ਜਾਂ ਨਹੀਂ, ਅਤੇ ਦਿਖਾਉਂਦੇ ਹਨ ਕਿ ਇਹ ਕਿੰਨਾ ਗੰਭੀਰ ਹੈ [6]। ਵਾਧੂ ਟੈਸਟ ਇਸ ਗੱਲ ਦੀ ਸੰਭਾਵਨਾ ਵਧਾ ਸਕਦੇ ਹਨ ਕਿ ਸਰਜਰੀ ਕਿਸੇ ਅਸਲ, ਇਲਾਜਯੋਗ ਸਮੱਸਿਆ ਲਈ ਕੀਤੀ ਜਾ ਰਹੀ ਹੈ [9]। ਹਕੀਕਤ ਵਾਲੀ ਉਮੀਦ ਰੱਖੋ: ਟੈਸਟ ਪਛਾਣ ਕਰਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਚੰਗੇ ਹਨ, ਪਰ ਇਹ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਨਹੀਂ ਦੱਸ ਸਕਦੇ ਕਿ ਸਰਜਰੀ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਮਹਿਸੂਸ ਕਰੋਗੇ [6]। ਸਭ ਤੋਂ ਅਹਿਮ ਚੇਤਾਵਨੀ ਇਹ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਨਾਰਮਲ ਨਤੀਜੇ ਦਾ ਮਤਲਬ ਇਹ ਨਹੀਂ ਕਿ ਕਾਰਪਲ ਟਨਲ ਸਿੰਡਰੋਮ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੈ, ਕਿਉਂਕਿ ਨਸ ਉੱਤੇ ਦਬਾਅ ਆਉਂਦਾ-ਜਾਂਦਾ ਰਹਿ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ। ਕੋਈ ਵੀ ਫ਼ੈਸਲਾ ਕਰਨ ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਆਪਣੀ ਰਿਪੋਰਟ ਦੀ ਸਪਸ਼ਟ ਵਿਆਖਿਆ ਮੰਗੋ।
ਹਵਾਲੇ¶
[1] Sensory threshold and conductance testing in nerve injuries. The Journal of Hand Surgery: Journal of the British Society for Surgery of the Hand. 1986. DOI: 10.1016/0266-7681(86)90252-4
[2] Correlation of Clinical Signs with Nerve Conduction Tests in the Diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Journal of Hand Surgery. 1994. DOI: 10.1016/0266-7681(94)90244-5
[3] Current Practice in the Use of Nerve Conduction Studies in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome by Surgeons in the Netherlands. Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume). 2007. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhse.2007.09.007
[4] Diagnosis of Ulnar Neuropathy at the Elbow Using Ultrasound — A Comparison to Electrophysiologic Studies. The Journal of Hand Surgery. 2023. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2023.08.014
[5] Use of nerve conduction studies in carpal tunnel syndrome. Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume). 2023. DOI: 10.1177/17531934231191685
[6] Electrical studies as a prognostic factor in the surgical treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. The Journal of Hand Surgery. 1996. DOI: 10.1016/s0363-5023(96)80384-4
[7] Provocative motor nerve conduction testing in presumptive carpal tunnel syndrome unconfirmed by traditional electrodiagnostic testing. The Journal of Hand Surgery. 1997. DOI: 10.1016/s0363-5023(97)80045-7
[8] The utility of portable nerve conduction testing for patients with carpal tunnel syndrome: A prospective clinical study. The Journal of Hand Surgery. 1992. DOI: 10.1016/0363-5023(92)90117-8
[9] Diagnosis of Mild-to-moderate Idiopathic Median Neuropathy at the Carpal Tunnel Based on Signs and Symptoms is Discordant From Diagnosis Based on Electrodiagnostic Studies and Ultrasound. Clinical Orthopaedics & Related Research. 2023. DOI: 10.1097/corr.0000000000002751
[10] CORR Insights®: Diagnosis of Mild-to-moderate Idiopathic Median Neuropathy at the Carpal Tunnel Based on Signs and Symptoms is Discordant From Diagnosis Based on Electrodiagnostic Studies and Ultrasound. Clinical Orthopaedics & Related Research. 2023. DOI: 10.1097/corr.0000000000002822
[11] Electrodiagnostic reports of median neuropathy at the wrist. The Journal of Hand Surgery. 1998. DOI: 10.1016/s0363-5023(98)80089-0
[12] Electrodiagnostic testing and carpal tunnel release outcome. The Journal of Hand Surgery. 1997. DOI: 10.1016/s0363-5023(05)80209-6
[13] Nerve Conduction Studies after Treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Journal of Hand Surgery. 1992. DOI: 10.1016/0266-7681(92)90191-4
[14] Diagnostic and therapeutic value of carpal tunnel injection. The Journal of Hand Surgery. 1984. DOI: 10.1016/s0363-5023(84)80065-9
[15] Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Neurophysiological Results of Surgery Based on Preoperative Electrodiagnostic Testing. Journal of Hand Surgery. 1997. DOI: 10.1016/s0266-7681(97)80355-5
[16] Relative slowing of the median antidromic sensory nerve conduction velocity to the ring finger in screening for carpal tunnel syndrome. The Journal of Hand Surgery. 2004. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2004.04.026
[17] Electrodiagnostic testing in hand surgery. The Journal of Hand Surgery. 1996. DOI: 10.1016/s0363-5023(96)80298-x
Evidence & references
This is the clinical evidence summary written for health professionals. It is technical, and it lists the research this page was built from. You do not need to read it to understand your treatment or to make a decision about it.
Overview¶
- Nerve conduction studies serve as a measure of impaired nerve function and are the best available indicator of overall disease severity with some prognostic value for surgical outcome [1].
- Nerve conduction studies are considered an indispensable part of the pre-operative evaluation for carpal tunnel syndrome [2].
- Provocative nerve conduction testing is a useful and simple addition to the overall evaluation of patients with carpal tunnel syndrome, particularly those with otherwise normal findings on traditional electrodiagnostic studies [3].
- The selection of an appropriate electrical screening test for peripheral nerve injury depends on the prevalence and seriousness of the target disease and the relative consequences of over- and underdiagnosis [4].
- The absence of any real difference in nerve conduction time between a working group with symptoms and a group with diagnosed carpal tunnel syndrome indicates a high probability that many participants with symptoms would have had abnormal findings on standard electrodiagnostic tests [5].
- The value of preoperative nerve conduction studies lies in obtaining the correct diagnosis and determining the severity of the median nerve disease, not in predicting postoperative outcome [6].
- Electrodiagnostic criteria used in some referenced studies were inadequate and not the most sensitive available, potentially leading to the erroneous conclusion that electrodiagnostic studies offer no additional diagnostic power in carpal tunnel syndrome [7].
- The value of electrodiagnostic testing is not negated by findings that it does not predict postoperative outcome [8].
- When signs and symptoms suggest mild-to-moderate median neuropathy and surgery is being considered, patients and clinicians might consider additional testing, such as electrodiagnostic studies or ultrasound, to increase the probability of actual median neuropathy that can benefit from surgery [9].
- Clinical, electrodiagnostic, and physical examination criteria need better definition to avoid inaccurate diagnoses and unnecessary surgeries [10].
- Highly sensitive tests are required to assess or exclude the diagnosis in one quarter of cases of carpal tunnel syndrome [11].
- Nerve conduction studies were more sensitive than sensibility testing in confirming the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome [13].
- The combination of nerve conduction studies and sensibility testing is more sensitive than either test alone in confirming the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome [13].
- Given specific clinical criteria for establishing the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome, electrodiagnostic testing does not appear to correlate with improved final symptomatic outcome after carpal tunnel release [20].
- Surgical intervention is advocated for patients with symptoms only, even when electrodiagnostic studies are normal, in the context of cubital tunnel syndrome [21].
- The majority of neurosurgeons and orthopaedic surgeons seldom operate without electrodiagnostic confirmation in line with the Dutch consensus guideline on this subject [29].
- When used together, Semmes-Weinstein monofilament mappings and sensory nerve conduction parameters present a clearer picture of the patient's sensory status than either test used alone [31].
- Receiver operating characteristic curves showed distal sensory latency measurement to be a superior diagnostic test for carpal tunnel syndrome, with 3.3 ms as optimal upper limit of normal, giving a sensitivity of 74% and a specificity of 87% [45].
How It Works¶
Diagnostic Utility and Role¶
- The clinical, electrodiagnostic, and physical examination criteria need better definition to avoid inaccurate diagnoses and unnecessary surgeries [10].
- Electrodiagnostic studies are used as part of a clinical evaluation process and are considered a reasonable way to practice medicine [12].
Sensitivity and Specificity¶
- Nerve conduction studies were more sensitive than sensibility testing in confirming the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome, but the combination of the two studies is more sensitive than either test alone [13].
- The sensitivity of the neurometer test alone was 69% and specificity was 100%, increasing to 84% sensitivity when combined with quantitative sensibility testing [28].
- The relative slowing of the antidromic sensory conduction velocity of the median nerve to the ring finger is determined easily and efficiently and imposes minimal strain on the patient [34].
Prognostic Value and Outcomes¶
- Compound muscle action potential amplitude, but not other conventional electrodiagnostic parameters, was predictive of functional outcomes after in situ decompression of the ulnar nerve [22].
- Suprascapular nerve dysfunction, evidenced by reduced nerve amplitudes and supraspinatus muscle atrophy, significantly predicts poor functional outcomes following shoulder hemiarthroplasty, even when tuberosities are well healed [19].
- This strength recovers gradually as the median nerve heals, but never returns to normal, indicating that this test can be extrapolated to the reinnervation of the abductor pollicies brevis [23].
Technical Considerations and Reporting¶
- There is variability with respect to the thoroughness of electrodiagnostic studies and in the quality of information in the reports [16].
- Electrodiagnostic reports should specifically indicate abnormalities of latency and conduction and present a clear description of the probable pathophysiologic processes rather than just compiling slight abnormalities [26].
- The conduction velocity of the ulnar nerve after an anterior transposition is determined by both the position of the elbow and the location for the measurement of the skin distance [37].
Physiological Mechanisms and Intraoperative Findings¶
- When in situ nerve strain reached 8.1 ± 0.5%, the compound muscle action potential was not evoked [33].
- Intraoperative conduction latencies indicated a dramatic and immediate reduction in the conduction latency across the carpal canal in all but seven patients, two of whom had diabetes [36].
- Electrodiagnostic studies revealed an acute median nerve lesion at the wrist with motor and/or sensory conduction blocks in 20/30 women with pregnancy-related carpal tunnel syndrome [18].
Comparative Modalities¶
- Ultrasound is a valid alternative confirmatory test compared with electrodiagnostic studies in detecting ulnar neuropathy at the elbow [14].
- The study confirms the high diagnostic value of the pre-operative antidromic sensory conduction velocity findings [25].
What the Evidence Shows¶
Diagnostic Role and Sensitivity¶
- The absence of any real difference in nerve conduction time between the working group with symptoms and the group with diagnosed carpal tunnel syndrome indicates a high probability that many participants with symptoms would have had abnormal findings on standard electrodiagnostic tests [5].
- There is a severe discordance between the estimated prevalence of mild-to-moderate carpal tunnel syndrome based on clinical signs and symptoms (73%) versus electrodiagnostic studies and ultrasound (51%) [27].
- The authors argue that the electrodiagnostic criteria used in the referenced study were inadequate and not the most sensitive available, potentially leading to the erroneous conclusion that electrodiagnostic studies offer no additional diagnostic power in carpal tunnel syndrome [7].
- Carpal tunnel injection is a reasonably accurate diagnostic test, as a good response to injection is an excellent diagnostic and prognostic sign for surgical treatment [42].
Prognostic Value and Outcomes¶
- Upper arm motor nerve conduction velocity might be a useful predictor of poor surgical outcome in cubital tunnel syndrome [32].
- Distal motor latency is a simple test with a predictive value of the postoperative neurophysiological and clinical outcome of carpal tunnel syndrome [39].
- The changes in electrophysiological findings occurring spontaneously in carpal tunnel syndrome and after treatment by injection are not statistically significant at two years [38].
Clinical Application and Reporting¶
- The author continues to use electrodiagnostic studies as part of a clinical evaluation process and considers this a reasonable way to practice medicine [12].
- The author proposes that the clinical, electrodiagnostic, and physical examination criteria need better definition to avoid inaccurate diagnoses and unnecessary surgeries [10].
- The study confirms the high diagnostic value of the pre-operative antidromic sensory conduction velocity findings in carpal tunnel syndrome [25].
- Surgical intervention is advocated for patients with symptoms only, even when electrodiagnostic studies are normal, in cases of cubital tunnel syndrome [21].
- The incidence of abnormal conduction times was not reliably correlated with either age or duration of paralysis in the paraplegic hand [24].
- In primates, there is no significant difference in the conduction velocity of peripheral nerves repaired in adults and those repaired in early life [15].
- Although there are essential differences between Semmes-Weinstein monofilament mappings and sensory nerve conduction parameters, when used together they present a clearer picture of the patient's sensory status than either test used alone [31].
- The strength of the abductor pollicis brevis recovers gradually as the median nerve heals but never returns to normal, indicating that this test can be extrapolated to the reinnervation of the abductor pollicis brevis [23].
- Chitosan phonophoresis demonstrated significant improvements in nerve conduction, pain reduction, and enhancement of hand function for mild to moderate cubital tunnel syndrome [17].
- All patients had good clinical and electrophysiological recovery at 6 months following single-stage opponensplasty added at the time of release for severe carpal tunnel syndrome [41].
- Three weeks after the operation, 77% of the patients in the tourniquet group had denervation in other than thenar muscles [46].
Practical Considerations¶
Diagnostic Interpretation and Utility¶
- Nerve conduction studies serve as a measure of impaired nerve function and the best available indicator of overall disease severity, rather than a test that determines the diagnosis [1].
- The value of preoperative nerve conduction studies lies in obtaining the correct diagnosis and determining the severity of median nerve disease, not in predicting postoperative outcome [6].
- Electrodiagnostic testing does not appear to correlate with improved final symptomatic outcome after carpal tunnel release given specific clinical criteria for establishing the diagnosis [20].
- When signs and symptoms suggest mild-to-moderate median neuropathy and surgery is being considered, patients and clinicians might consider additional testing, such as EDS or US, to increase the probability of actual median neuropathy that can benefit from surgery [9].
- The authors argue that the electrodiagnostic criteria used in the referenced study were inadequate and not the most sensitive available, potentially leading to the erroneous conclusion that electrodiagnostic studies offer no additional diagnostic power in CTS [7].
- This does not negate the value of electrodiagnostic testing [8].
Testing Variations and Screening¶
- Provocative nerve conduction testing is a useful and simple addition to the overall evaluation of patients with CTS, particularly those with otherwise normal findings on traditional electrodiagnostic studies [3].
- The absence of any real difference in nerve conduction time between the working group with symptoms and the group with diagnosed CTS indicates a high probability that many of the participants with symptoms would have had abnormal findings on standard electrodiagnostic tests [5].
- There is a significant discrepancy between the practice recommended by the Danish Society of Neurophysiology of performing neurophysiological investigations in all cases of suspected CTS and what is actually done in most surgical departments [35].
Specific Clinical Scenarios¶
- Upper arm motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) might be a useful predictor of poor surgical outcome in cubital tunnel syndrome [32].
- Surgical intervention is advocated for patients with symptoms only, even when electrodiagnostic studies are normal, in cases of electrodiagnostic-negative cubital tunnel syndrome [21].
- SSN dysfunction, evidenced by reduced nerve amplitudes and supraspinatus muscle atrophy, significantly predicts poor functional outcomes following shoulder hemiarthroplasty, even when tuberosities are well healed [19].
- The incidence of abnormal conduction times in the paraplegic hand was not reliably correlated with either age or duration of paralysis [24].
- Intraoperative electrodiagnosis may offer limited value in neonatal brachial plexus palsy surgery, but there is insufficient evidence to reach robust conclusions [44].
- This underscores the need for surgeons to carefully evaluate suprascapular nerve integrity in cases of rotator cuff tear [40].
Methodological and Prognostic Notes¶
- Only studies with randomization, blinding, and sham injection or sham surgery can address subjective symptoms and satisfaction reliably and accurately [30].
Key Evidence¶
- [L5] Nerve conduction studies should be understood not as a test that determines the diagnosis but as a measure of impaired nerve function, serving as the best available indicator of overall disease severity with some prognostic value for surgical outcome. [1] (10.1177/17531934231191685)
- [L3] We consider nerve conduction studies to be an indispensable part of the pre-operative evaluation. [2] (10.1016/0266-7681(94)90244-5)
- [L2] Provocative nerve conduction testing is a useful and simple addition to the overall evaluation of patients with CTS, particularly those with otherwise normal findings on traditional electrodiagnostic studies. [3] (10.1016/s0363-5023(97)80045-7)
- [L3] The selection of an appropriate electrical screening test for peripheral nerve injury, such as entrapment neuropathy, depends on the prevalence and seriousness of the target disease and the relative consequences of over- and underdiagnosis. [4] (10.1016/s0363-5023(96)80165-1)
- [L3] The absence of any real difference in nerve conduction time between the working group with symptoms and the group with diagnosed CTS indicates a high probability that many of the participants with symptoms would have had abnormal findings on standard electrodiagnostic tests. [5] (10.1016/0363-5023(92)90116-7)
- [L5] The value of preoperative nerve conduction studies lies in obtaining the correct diagnosis and determining the severity of the median nerve disease, not in predicting postoperative outcome. [6] (10.1016/s0363-5023(96)80384-4)
- [L5] The authors argue that the electrodiagnostic criteria used in the referenced study were inadequate and not the most sensitive available, potentially leading to the erroneous conclusion that electrodiagnostic studies offer no additional diagnostic power in CTS. [7] (10.1067/jhsu.2000.jjhsu00025a1le01)
- [L5] This does not negate the value of electrodiagnostic testing. [8] (10.1016/s0363-5023(96)80222-x)
- [L3] When signs and symptoms suggest mild-to-moderate median neuropathy and surgery is being considered, patients and clinicians might consider additional testing, such as EDS or US, to increase the probability of actual median neuropathy that can benefit from surgery. [9] (10.1097/corr.0000000000002751)
- [L5] The author proposes that the clinical, electrodiagnostic, and physical examination criteria need better definition to avoid inaccurate diagnoses and unnecessary surgeries. [10] (10.1016/s0363-5023(05)80209-6)
- [L3] Highly sensitive tests are required to assess or exclude the diagnosis in one quarter of cases of carpal tunnel syndrome. [11] (10.1016/0266-7681(94)90245-3)
- [L5] The author continues to use electrodiagnostic studies as part of a clinical evaluation process and considers this a reasonable way to practice medicine. [12] (10.1016/s0363-5023(96)80380-7)
- [L4] The results indicate that nerve conduction studies were more sensitive than sensibility testing in confirming the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome, but the combination of the two studies is more sensitive than either test alone. [13] (10.1016/s0363-5023(82)80176-7)
- [L4] Ultrasound is a valid alternative confirmatory test compared with electrodiagnostic studies in detecting ulnar neuropathy at the elbow. [14] (10.1016/j.jhsa.2023.08.014)
- [L3] The study demonstrates that in primates there is no significant difference in the conduction velocity of peripheral nerves repaired in adults and those repaired in early life. [15] (10.1016/s0363-5023(83)80199-3)
- [L4] There is variability with respect to the thoroughness of electrodiagnostic studies and in the quality of information in the reports. [16] (10.1016/s0363-5023(98)80089-0)
- [L1] This approach demonstrated significant improvements in nerve conduction, pain reduction, and enhancement of hand function. [17] (10.1016/j.jht.2024.02.006)
- [L4] Electrodiagnostic studies revealed an acute median nerve lesion at the wrist with motor and/or sensory conduction blocks in 20/30 women. [18] (10.1016/s0266-7681(98)80232-5)
- [L3] SSN dysfunction, evidenced by reduced nerve amplitudes and supraspinatus muscle atrophy, significantly predicts poor functional outcomes following SHA, even when tuberosities are well healed. [19] (10.1016/j.jse.2025.07.001)
- [L3] Given specific clinical criteria for establishing the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome, electrodiagnostic testing does not appear to correlate with improved final symptomatic outcome after carpal tunnel release. [20] (10.1016/s0363-5023(96)80164-x)
- [L2] We advocate surgical intervention for patients with symptoms only, even when electrodiagnostic studies are normal. [21] (10.1053/jhsu.2001.26327)
- [L2] Compound muscle action potential amplitude, but not other conventional electrodiagnostic parameters, was predictive of functional outcomes after in situ decompression of the ulnar nerve. [22] (10.1016/j.jhsa.2022.10.008)
- [L5] This strength recovers gradually as the median nerve heals, but never returns to normal, indicating that this test can be extrapolated to the reinnervation of the abductor pollicies brevis. [23] (10.1016/s0266-7681(03)00022-6)
- [L4] The incidence of abnormal conduction times was not reliably correlated with either age or duration of paralysis. [24] (10.1016/s0363-5023(88)80132-1)
- [L4] The study confirms the high diagnostic value of the pre-operative antidromic sensory conduction velocity findings. [25] (10.1016/0266-7681(88)90161-1)
- [L5] EDX reports should specifically indicate abnormalities of latency and conduction and present a clear description of the probable pathophysiologic processes rather than just compiling slight abnormalities. [26] (10.1016/s0363-5023(96)80298-x)
- [L5] There is a severe discordance between the estimated prevalence of mild-to-moderate carpal tunnel syndrome based on clinical signs and symptoms (73%) versus electrodiagnostic studies and ultrasound (51%), calling into question whether clinicians can confidently diagnose patients with mild-to-moderate CTS. [27] (10.1097/corr.0000000000002822)
- [L3] The sensitivity of the neurometer test alone was 69% and specificity was 100%, increasing to 84% sensitivity when combined with quantitative sensibility testing. [28] (10.1016/0363-5023(92)90117-8)
- [L4] The majority of neurosurgeons and orthopaedic surgeons seldom operate without electrodiagnostic confirmation in line with the Dutch consensus guideline on this subject. [29] (10.1016/j.jhse.2007.09.007)
- [L4] Although there are essential differences in these two tests, when used together they present a clearer picture of the patient's sensory status than either test used alone. [31] (10.1016/s0894-1130(87)80010-8)
- [L3] Upper arm motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) might be a useful predictor of poor surgical outcome. [32] (10.1177/17585732241293360)
- [Paper] The results showed that when the in situ nerve strain reached 8.1 ± 0.5%, the compound muscle action potential was not evoked. [33] (10.1016/s0736-0266(02)00080-3)
- [L3] The relative slowing of the antidromic sensory conduction velocity of the median nerve to the ring finger is determined easily and efficiently and imposes minimal strain on the patient. [34] (10.1016/j.jhsa.2004.04.026)
- [L4] There is a significant discrepancy between the practice recommended by the Danish Society of Neurophysiology of performing neurophysiological investigations (NI) in all cases of suspected CTS and what is actually done in most surgical departments. [35] (10.1016/s0266-7681(97)80443-3)
- [L4] The results of intraoperative conduction latencies indicated a dramatic and immediate reduction in the conduction latency across the carpal canal in all but seven patients, two of whom had diabetes. [36] (10.1016/s0363-5023(78)80119-1)
- [L4] The conduction velocity of the ulnar nerve after an anterior transposition is determined by both the position of the elbow and the location for the measurement of the skin distance. [37] (10.1016/s0363-5023(87)80051-5)
- [L3] The changes in electrophysiological findings occurring spontaneously in carpal tunnel syndrome and after treatment by injection are not statistically significant at two years. [38] (10.1016/0266-7681(92)90191-4)
- [L3] DML is a simple test with a predictive value of the postoperative neurophysiological and clinical outcome of carpal tunnel syndrome. [39] (10.1016/s0266-7681(97)80355-5)
- [L5] This underscores the need for surgeons to carefully evaluate suprascapular nerve integrity in such cases. [40] (10.1186/s12891-025-09195-6)
- [L3] All patients had good clinical and electrophysiological recovery at 6 months. [41] (10.1177/1558944716660555fx)
- [L4] Results suggest that carpal tunnel injection is also a reasonably accurate diagnostic test, as a good response to injection is an excellent diagnostic and prognostic sign for surgical treatment. [42] (10.1016/s0363-5023(84)80065-9)
- [L4] Intraoperative electrodiagnosis may offer limited value in neonatal brachial plexus palsy surgery, but there is insufficient evidence to reach robust conclusions. [44] (10.1177/17531934261478357)
- [L3] Receiver operating characteristic curves showed distal sensory latency measurement to be a superior diagnostic test, with 3.3 ms as optimal upper limit of normal, giving a sensitivity of 74% and a specificity of 87%. [45] (10.1016/s0363-5023(96)80020-7)
- [L1] Three weeks after the operation 77% of the patients in the tourniquet group had denervation in other than thenar muscles. [46] (10.1016/s0363-5023(89)80011-5)
References¶
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[12] Electrical studies as a prognostic factor in the surgical treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. The Journal of Hand Surgery. 1996. DOI: 10.1016/s0363-5023(96)80380-7
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[23] Re. Clinical value of electrodiagnostic testing following repair of peripheral nerve lesions: a prospective study. Th. H.J. Van de Kar, J.B. Jaquet, J. Meulstee, C.B.H. Molenaar, R.J. Schimsheimer, S.E.R. Hovius. Journal of Hand Surgery 2002: 27B(4): 345–349.. Journal of Hand Surgery. 2003. DOI: 10.1016/s0266-7681(03)00022-6
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[33] In situ strain and stress of nerve conduction blocking in the brachial plexus. Journal of Orthopaedic Research. 2002. DOI: 10.1016/s0736-0266(02)00080-3
[34] Relative slowing of the median antidromic sensory nerve conduction velocity to the ring finger in screening for carpal tunnel syndrome. The Journal of Hand Surgery. 2004. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2004.04.026
[35] Operative Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Denmark. Journal of Hand Surgery. 1997. DOI: 10.1016/s0266-7681(97)80443-3
[36] Intraoperative changes in motor nerve conduction latency in carpal tunnel syndrome. The Journal of Hand Surgery. 1978. DOI: 10.1016/s0363-5023(78)80119-1
[37] Validity of nerve conduction velocity studies after anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve. The Journal of Hand Surgery. 1987. DOI: 10.1016/s0363-5023(87)80051-5
[38] Nerve Conduction Studies after Treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Journal of Hand Surgery. 1992. DOI: 10.1016/0266-7681(92)90191-4
[39] Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Neurophysiological Results of Surgery Based on Preoperative Electrodiagnostic Testing. Journal of Hand Surgery. 1997. DOI: 10.1016/s0266-7681(97)80355-5
[40] Electromyography does not show adequate effectiveness in diagnosis of suprascapular nerve lesions caused by rotator cuff tear in rat model. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2025. DOI: 10.1186/s12891-025-09195-6
[41] Should Single-Stage Opponensplasty Be Added at the Time of Release for Severe Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?. HAND. 2016. DOI: 10.1177/1558944716660555fx
[42] Diagnostic and therapeutic value of carpal tunnel injection. The Journal of Hand Surgery. 1984. DOI: 10.1016/s0363-5023(84)80065-9
[44] Intraoperative electrodiagnostic testing as a decision-making tool for neonatal brachial plexus palsy: a scoping review. Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume). 2026. DOI: 10.1177/17531934261478357
[45] Evaluation of portable nerve conduction testing in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome. The Journal of Hand Surgery. 1996. DOI: 10.1016/s0363-5023(96)80020-7
[46] Upper extremity tourniquet effects in carpal tunnel release. The Journal of Hand Surgery. 1989. DOI: 10.1016/s0363-5023(89)80011-5