Management of peripheral nerve problems in the upper and lower extremity using quantitative sensory testing

Elective microsurgery of the peripheral nervous system concerns nerve decom pression, neurolysis, nerve repair, and forms of nerve reconstruction with grafts or tubes. Management skills for the peripheral nerve too often rely on antiquated assessment techniques and depend upon traditional electrodiag nostic testing. Quantitative sensory testing is an approach to the evaluati on of peripheral nerve function that is available now to all physicians int erested in managing peripheral nerve problems. This article introduces quan titative sensory testing, with particular regard to the management of perip heral nerve problems.