Premium
Usefulness of electrodiagnostic techniques in the evaluation of suspected tarsal tunnel syndrome: An evidence‐based review
Author(s) -
Patel Atul T.,
Gaines Kenneth,
Malamut Richard,
Park Tracy A.,
Toro David R. Del,
Holland Neil
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.20393
Subject(s) - tarsal tunnel syndrome , medicine , electromyography , ankle , nerve conduction , electrodiagnosis , physical medicine and rehabilitation , evidence based medicine , physical therapy , surgery , pathology , alternative medicine
This evidence‐based review was performed to evaluate the utility of nerve conduction studies (NCSs) and needle electromyography (EMG) in the diagnosis of tibial neuropathy at the ankle (tarsal tunnel syndrome, TTS). A total of 317 articles on TTS were identified that were published in English from 1965 through April 2002, from the National Library of Medicine MEDLINE database. All articles were reviewed on the basis of six selection criteria. The results of this search revealed that four articles met five or more criteria. All four articles examined the use of electrodiagnostic (EDX) techniques for the evaluation of patients with clinically suspected TTS, and were included in this practice parameter. Each of these four studies was considered to meet Class III level of evidence. NCSs were abnormal in some patients with suspected TTS. Sensory NCSs were more likely to be abnormal than motor NCSs but the actual sensitivity and specificity could not be determined. The sensitivity of needle EMG abnormalities could not be determined. NCSs may be useful for confirming the diagnosis of tibial neuropathy at the ankle, recommendation Level C. Well‐designed studies are needed to evaluate more definitively EDX techniques in TTS. Muscle Nerve, 2005