A study on Normative Data for Saphenous nerve SNAPs in healthy volunteers at a tertiary centre in south India.

Abstract

The saphenous nerve is a pure sensory nerve that supplies the medial surface of the leg. Normative data for saphenous nerve sensory nerve action potentials (SNAPs) is vital for diagnosing nerve pathologies. This study aims to establish normative values for saphenous nerve conduction in healthy volunteers. Forty adult volunteers (20 males and 20 females) aged 1 to 60 were tested using Natus nerve conduction equipment. The right saphenous nerve showed a mean latency of 3.30 ± 1.485 ms, amplitude of 9.40 ± 4.421 µV, and conduction velocity of 39.66 ± 8.510 m/s. The left saphenous nerve had a mean latency of 2.93 ± 1.285 ms, amplitude of 10.30 ± 4.421 µV, and conduction velocity of 40.33 ± 8.51 m/s. These values align with previous studies, except for slightly lower conduction velocities. This study provides robust normative data that can guide clinical practice and future research in diagnosing saphenous neuropathies and related conditions.

Objectives

The objective of the study is to study the normative data of the saphenous nerve.

Materials and methods

Sensory nerve conduction of the Saphenous nerve was conducted in 40 healthy volunteers aged 1 to 60 years using Natus nerve conduction machine at Saveetha Medical College and Hospital from 2022 to 2023 after taking ethical clearance. . Key parameters including latency, amplitude, and conduction velocity were measured from stimulation sites at the medial calf and recording sites at the ankle.

Outcome

 Results indicated mean latency values of 3.30 ± 1.485 ms and 2.93 ± 1.285 ms, average amplitudes of 9.40 ± 4.421 µV and 10.30 ± 4.421 µV, and conduction velocities of 39.66 ± 8.510 m/s and 40.33 ± 8.510 m/s for the right and left saphenous nerves, respectively. Comparative analyses with existing literature underscored the consistency and reliability of our findings.

Conclusion

These normative data provide essential benchmarks for clinical assessments and surgical interventions involving the saphenous nerve, contributing to enhanced diagnostic accuracy and treatment outcomes.