NERVE CONDUCTION STUDY IN DIFFERENT CLINICAL GRADES OF DIABETIC FOOT

Background:Diabetic neuropathy is one of the commonest late complications of diabetes. Diabetic neuropathy can be either peripheral or autonomic. Nerve conduction study (NCS) is the recording and measurement of the compound nerve and muscle action potentials elicited in response to an electrical stimulus. Currently, the principal uses of NCV (Nerve Conduction velocity) study are to evaluate paresthesias (numbness, tingling, burning) and /or weakness of arms or legs. Methods: All patients diagnosed as diabetic foot were sent for Nerve Conduction Study after obtaining their written informed consent. Three nerves were studied; two motor nerves, Common peroneal and Tibial nerves, and one purely sensory nerve, Sural nerve. Results: Mixed type neuropathy with bilateral lower limb involvement was the most common type encountered. Interpretation and Conclusion: Mixed type of neuropathy was the most common in my study with respect to sensory and motor types of neuropathy; and also axonal and demyelinating types of neuropathy. Number of patients with bilateral neuropathy detected by NCV study in my study is more than that detected clinically and the difference is significant by applying the test of significance. Hence, NCV is a better study to detect nerve conduction abnormalities than clinical examination in diabetic foot.