The Effects of Ankle Joint Position on Deep Peroneal Nerve Latencies

Mohamed  Hussein El-Gendy; Mahmoud Salah Abd  El-Fattah; Mohamed Magdy El  Meligie; Efrem  Kentiba; Yasser Ramzy  Lasheen

doi:10.18502/jmr.v19i1.17509

Mohamed Hussein El-Gendy Department of Physical Therapy for Basic Sciences, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
Mahmoud Salah Abd El-Fattah Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Ahram Canadian University, Giza, Egypt.
Mohamed Magdy El Meligie Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Ahram Canadian University, Giza, Egypt.
Efrem Kentiba Department of Sports Science, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia.
Yasser Ramzy Lasheen Department of Physical Therapy for Basic Sciences, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jmr.v19i1.17509

Keywords: Ankle; Ankle joint; Electromyography; Peroneal nerve; Nerve conduction studies

Abstract

Introduction: Joint positioning can impact nerve function. Few studies have explored the effects of ankle positions on deep peroneal nerve conduction. This cross-sectional study investigated the influence of different ankle joint positions on the deep peroneal nerve’s distal motor and sensory onset latencies.

Materials and Methods: A total of 31 healthy adults (23.4±3.9 years old) underwent a deep peroneal nerve conduction study. Distal motor and sensory onset latencies were measured at neutral (0^°), dorsiflexion (20^°) and plantar flexion (40^°) ankle positions.

Results: Changing ankle position significantly affected distal motor (P=0.001) and sensory onset latencies (P=0.001). Latencies were shortest in dorsiflexion (motor: 3.8±0.46; sensory: 2.4±0.2 ms), followed by neutral (motor: 4.2±0.5; sensory: 2.6±0.3 ms) and most prolonged in plantar flexion (motor: 5±0.6; sensory: 3.3±0.2 ms).

Conclusion: Ankle position impacts deep peroneal nerve conduction. Dorsiflexion and neutral positions reduced distal motor and sensory latencies compared to plantar flexion. These findings provide preliminary evidence that may help optimize ankle positioning in electrodiagnostic testing. Further blinded research with larger, more diverse samples is warranted.