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Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Diagnostic Tests
Nerve Conduction Velocity (NCV)
Nerve conduction velocity (NCV) helps determine the health of peripheral nerves by testing the speed of the signals through the nerve. Electrodes are placed on the skin over the nerve at various locations that give off mild electrical impulses, which in turn stimulates the nerve (20).
Dutch treatment guidelines state that NCV is vital for determining a diagnosis between CRPS types 1 and 2 (12). According to the Rommel study, 16 of 35 CRPS patients were found to have impaired nerve conduction (21). If nerve conduction values are 20% above the norm, a peripheral nerve condition or CRPS type 2 must be assumed (21).
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Updated December 20, 2007 |
