Early recognition of nerve disorders by near-nerve recording of sensory action potentials.

Evaluated herein are the advantages and limitations of recording sensory action potentials with a gross electrode placed near the nerve. This technique has proved to be a sensitive measure of early nerve damage for two reasons: first, electrodes can be positioned in such a way that maximal velocity is determined only along the abnormal stretch of the nerve; and second, small late components originating from demyelinated, remyelinated, or regenerating fibers can be detected.