The Relationship Between Femoral and Saphenous Nerve Conduction Changes in Individuals Without Clinical Symptoms of...

The femoral and saphenous nerves are essential components of lower-limb motor and sensory function. Nerve conduction studies (NCS) provide an objective evaluation of peripheral nerve physiology and are sensitive to early pathological changes. Limited evidence exists regarding the combined assessment of femoral motor conduction and saphenous sensory conduction in relation to anthropometric factors and flexibility.

The aim of this study is to analyze the relationships between conduction parameters of the femoral and saphenous nerves and age, body mass index (BMI), and lower-limb flexibility.

Thirty healthy young adults underwent motor conduction studies of the femoral nerve and sensory studies of the saphenous nerve stimulated at the sartorius insertion region. Latencies and amplitudes were recorded. Flexibility was assessed using the passive knee-extension angle. Statistical analyses included correlation and bilateral symmetry tests.

Strong bilateral symmetry was observed for femoral compound muscle action potential (CMAP) parameters and saphenous sensory responses. Flexibility was positively associated with sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) amplitude during proximal saphenous nerve stimulation near the sartorius region. Age correlated with sensory latency, and higher body mass index was associated with reduced sensory nerve action potential amplitude and prolonged sensory latency.

Femoral and saphenous nerve conduction parameters show high bilateral symmetry in healthy, physically active young adults. Lower-limb soft-tissue flexibility is associated with the sensory response of the saphenous nerve, whereas age and body mass index are related to selected sensory conduction parameters. These findings suggest that individual biomechanical and anthropometric factors should be considered when interpreting sensory nerve conduction results in asymptomatic adults.