Ultrasound thermotherapy effect on the recovery of nerve conduction in experimental compression neuropathy

Bilateral tibial nerves of 18 albino rats were mechanically compressed between knee and ankle. Beginning on the fifth day after compression, ultrasound thermotherapy of 0.5 or 1.0watt/cm2 was applied over the area of nerve compression in one limb for one minute three times per week. The other side (control) was not treated. Motor distal latency (DL), motor nerve conduction velocity (NCV) of the segment with nerve compression, and amplitude of the evoked compound muscle action potential (ACMAP) were measured before and immediately after nerve compression and two or three times per week after compression. The recovery rates of NCV and ACMAP of the tibial nerve treated with ultrasound of 0.5watt/cm2 were significantly faster than those of the control nerve. There was no significant change in the recovery rate of DL. However, if ultrasound of 1.0watt/cm2 was applied, the recovery rate of ACMAP of the treated nerve was slower than that of the control nerve. There were no significant changes in the recovery rates of DL and NCV. Low doses of ultrasound thermotherapy may facilitate recovery of compression neuropathy, but higher doses may induce an adverse effect.