Normal Nerve Conduction Test - Carpal Tunnel

Im often asked if normal Nerve condition test means that the problem is not carpal tunnel syndrome.

A normal nerve conduction study (NCS) does not categorically exclude carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), particularly in patients with convincing clinical features. NCS is designed to detect large myelinated fibre dysfunction, typically demonstrating delayed distal motor latency, reduced sensory conduction velocity, or conduction block across the carpal tunnel. However, in early or mild disease, especially where symptoms are intermittent or predominantly sensory, these abnormalities may not yet be detectable. This scenario is reflected in Bland grade 0 CTS, where patients have classic symptoms such as nocturnal paraesthesia, median nerve distribution numbness, or activity-related exacerbation, but entirely normal electrophysiological findings.