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

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.

The objective of this study was to document normal responses of the peroneal neurodynamic test (NDT_PER) in asymptomatic subjects. Differences in sensory response depending on sex and leg dominance were also examined.

A cross-sectional study was designed.

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.

Hip flexion was significantly higher at S2 than S1 (mean difference, 27.22°; 95% CI: 25.29°, 29.14°; p < 0.001). However, it was not different between sex, nor dominance (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%).

This study provides the normal hip flexion angle and quality and distribution of sensory responses to the NDT_PER in asymptomatic subjects. Responses were independent of the influence of sex or leg dominance.