Clinical and electrophysiological study of the pattern of conduction times in the distribution of the sciatic nerve

Abstract

Motor conduction velocities in the distribution of the sciatic nerve and its branches were studied in 24 normal subjects and in 13 patients with nerve lesions. The conduction velocity was higher in the nerves to the muscles of the leg than those of the foot; the same in the nerves to the individual muscles of the leg or foot was 11% higher in the proximal segment of the nerve to the foot muscles than in the distal segment, and changed at a rate of 1.8 m/sec. per degree of intramuscular temperature. There was no significant correlation, however, between the intramuscular temperature and the extent of reduction of conduction velocity in patients. In patients with polyneuritis and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, conduction velocity was reduced and the distal latency in nerves to leg and foot muscles was prolonged. This study was found to be of value in diagnosing and localizing lesions of the sciatic nerve or its branches.