Current guidelines for management of peripheral nerve problems using quantitative sensory testing

A computer-assisted technique for quantitative sensory and motor testing is presented. This measurement system is painless, economic, and has been proven over the past 7 years to be reliable and valid. This system documents peripheral nerve function beautifully, in an intuitive, colourful, bar-graph format. Because the testing is non-invasive, it is painless for the patient. Therefore, monitoring peripheral nerve function is acceptable to the patient, in contrast to the use of traditional electrodiagnostic studies. Quantitative sensory testing (QST) with the Pressure-Specified Sensory Device(TM) is more sensitive and specific than traditional testing for peripheral nerve compression problems. This report illustrates the use of QST for both upper and lower extremity nerve problems encountered by the orthopaedic surgeon.