Abstract
The purpose of this study is to quantify nerve conduction velocity differences in
individuals with functional ankle instability compared to a “healthy” population.
38 participants ages 18–30 were recruited from a large university with approximately
43 000 students. 19 subjects (9 men and 10 women; age=21.0±1.4 years; height=172.0±9.3 cm;
mass=74.4±1 2.4 kg) with symptoms of functional ankle instability were in the functional
ankle instability group. 19 subjects (10 men, 9 women; age=22.0±2.6 years; height=169.8±9.1 cm;
mass=69.0±14.8 kg) with “healthy” ankles were in the control group. Nerve conduction
velocity was conducted using one trial at 2 different sites: posterior to the fibular
head (fibular), and 10 cm superior/posterior of the first site (popliteal). Nerve
conduction velocity (m/sec) was assessed using a SierraWave II system (Cadwell Laboratories;
Kennewick, WA). A MANCOVA was performed on the two dependent variables (fibular and
popliteal). Covariates included surface temperature of the leg, body mass index, and
age. The independent variable was group (functional ankle instability and control).
The effect of group was significantly related to nerve conduction velocity at the
fibular site (F(1, 27) =16.49, p=0.01) and popliteal site (F(1, 27)=4.51, p=0.01), with responses significantly faster for individuals in the control
group than the functional ankle instability group. These results indicate that patients
with functional ankle instability might have damage to the peroneal nerve which results
in slower peroneal nerve conduction velocity.
Key words
NCV - FAI - peroneal - nerve
