Normal response to tibial neurodynamic test in asymptomatic subjects

BACKGROUND: The straight leg raise test (SLR) is one of the most performed physical tests for mechanosensitivity and impairment of the nervous system. According to the anatomy of the tibial nerve, ankle dorsiflexion and eversion movements could be used to perform the tibial neurodynamic test (TNT). To date, no study has documented the normal responses of the TNT. OBJECTIVE: To document normal responses of the TNT in asymptomatic individuals and to investigate influences from sex and leg dominance. METHODS: A cross-sectional study with 44 asymptomatic volunteer subjects, a total of 88 lower limbs, was carried out. The range of motion (ROM), quality, and distribution of sensory responses were recorded. The hip flexion ROM was measured when subjects reported an intensity of their symptoms of 2/10 (P1) and 8/10 (P2). RESULTS: The mean ROM for hip flexion at P1 was 44.22 ± 13.13 and 66.73 ± 14.30 at P2. Hip flexion was significantly greater at P2 than P1 (p 0.05). The descriptor of the quality of sensory responses most often used by participants was stretching (88.6% and 87.5% for P1 and P2, respectively) in the popliteal fossa and posterior calf. CONCLUSIONS: This study describes the sensory responses of asymptomatic subjects resulting from the TNT. Our findings indicate that TNT responses are independent of the influence of sex or leg dominance

Neurodynamic test of the peroneal nerve: Study of the normal response in asymptomatic subjects

Background: Neurodynamic tests (NDTs) have shown to be useful in evaluating neural tissue involvement. Peroneal nerve reaches high importance in ankle injuries. However, up to date, no study has documented the normal responses for this nerve. Objectives: The objective of this study was to document normal responses of the peroneal neurodynamic test (NDTPER) in asymptomatic subjects. Differences in sensory response depending on sex and leg dominance were also examined. Design: A cross-sectional study was designed. Method: Forty-four asymptomatic subjects with a total of 88 lower limbs were tested. The range of motion (ROM) at the point of first appearance of symptoms (S1) and the point of symptoms tolerance (S2), quality and distribution of sensory responses were recorded. Results: Hip flexion was significantly higher at S2 than S1 (mean difference, 27.22 degrees; 95% CI: 25.29 degrees, 29.14 degrees; p 0.05). The descriptor of the quality of sensory responses more often used by subjects was stretching (90.9%) in the external foot (74.6%). Conclusions: This study provides the normal hip flexion angle and quality and distribution of sensory responses to the NDTPER in asymptomatic subjects. Responses were independent of the influence of sex or leg dominance