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The reliability of medial and lateral plantar nerve recordings in healthy elderly individuals

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the reliability of medial plantar (MP) and lateral plantar (LP) nerve conduction studies (NCS) in healthy individuals aged >65 years, and to obtain reference values for this age group. The study included 81 healthy subjects. MP response was absent in only 2 subjects, but LP response could not be obtained bilaterally in 43 of the 81 subjects. Regression analysis showed that MP NCS could be reliably performed in those aged ≤72 years and normal values for MP nerve in individuals aged 66–72 years would be strongly against a large-fiber neuropathy. However, LP response was absent in 53.1 % of the healthy elderly subjects; therefore, we think it is unreliable to study the LP nerve in this age group.

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None of the authors have any direct or indirect conflicts of interest—financial or otherwise—related to the subject matter of this report.

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Correspondence to Kayihan Uluc.

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G.K. and K.U. contributed equally to this work; therefore, they share first authorship.

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Keskin, G., Kahraman Koytak, P., Bastan, B. et al. The reliability of medial and lateral plantar nerve recordings in healthy elderly individuals. Neurol Sci 36, 883–888 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-014-2056-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-014-2056-2

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