Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Post-stroke motor sequelae can lead to an abnormal limb posture and decreased function that can ultimately increase the susceptibility of the peripheral nerves in that limb to compression, particularly within the early stages of stroke.
OBJECTIVE:
To study nerve conduction in paretic and non-paretic extremity in patients with the first ever-one stroke and to relate these parameters with MRC (Medical Research Council) scale.
METHODS:
Twenty-three patients aged 31-62 years and duration of illness of 3 and 6 months were studied. Thirteen had right hemiparesis and 10 with left hemiparesis. MRC scale was ≥3 in 17 and <2 in 6 patients.
RESULTS:
The median and peroneal distal motor latencies (DML) were prolonged and the peroneal compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude was reduced in the paretic as compared to the non-paretic side. The combined sensory index and the lumbrical/interosseous muscles comparison methods revealed significant differences between the paretic as compared to the non-paretic side.
Median distal sensory latency (DSL), DML, motor conduction velocity (MCV), and peroneal CMAP amplitude of the paretic limb were significantly different between those with ≥3 and those with <2 MRC scale. In the non-paretic upper limbs, the DSL and DML were significantly prolonged in those with <2 MRC when compared to those with ≥3 MRC.
CONCLUSION:
Post-stroke entrapment neuropathy may develop, along with axonal neuropathy symptoms in patients with severe paresis. The more severely affected limbs, the more severe electrophysiologic changes.
Keywords
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