Validity of small fibre sensory testing

Background: Neurological integrity testing (NI) is performed clinically to ascertain changes to nerve function. Whereas clinicians routinely focus on large fibre testing (e.g., light touch, reflexes, muscle strength), there is emerging evidence that small nerve fibres degenerate early in patients with entrapment neuropathies. Tests for small fibre function should therefore be an integral part of NI. The validity of testing small nerve fibres clinically remains unknown.

Source: Manual Therapy - April 1, 2017 Category: Physiotherapy Authors: C. Ridehalgh, A. Schmid Source Type: research