Reference values for distal motor conduction of the tibial nerve: Effects of demographic and anthropometric measures

Abstract

Introduction: In this study we collected reference values for the across-tarsal-tunnel conduction of the motor tibial nerve (mTN). Methods: The mTN compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs) from the abductor hallucis muscle were obtained by stimulating below/above the malleolus and the popliteal fossa. The effect of weight, height, body mass index (BMI), foot and leg length, sex, and age were evaluated using univariate and multivariate correlation analyses, and predictive equations for each mTN conduction parameter were developed. Results: On the basis of data from 185 subjects, there were differences between women and men in all anthropometric parameters and for some nerve conduction values. Through multivariate analysis, age, but not sex, was found to have a significant impact. Height affected both distal and proximal conduction velocity. BMI affected CMAP amplitude. Discussion: mTN conduction is influenced by various demographic and anthropometric factors. For all intrinsic factors, height demonstrated the greatest effect on mTN conduction across the tarsal tunnel.