nerve biopsy - is it worth it?

[Guest guest]

Ken,

I had a nerve AND muscle biopsy when I was 14 - OK so that was back

in 1966. Results came back totally normal. I was awake for the whole

thing - had a local anesthetic on my LEFT Leg - odd, since my RIGHT

Leg and Foot were the problems. Was up and walking the next day with

big bandages and I think I spent another day or two in the hospital,

just to monitor the incision for infection.

I don't believe the nerve biopsy will tell you what TYPE of CMT you

have. The EMG/NCV test can distinguish between Type 1 and 2 and since

you mentioned " axonal " that indicates Type 2, so you may want to get

DNA re-tested and ask for the Complete AXONAL panel.

As for all the stuff I've had, the nerve and muscle biopsy were a

piece of cake. No pain, a bit of stiffness in the muscle for awhile

where a piece was cut out, but swimming and biking helped get that

muscle back in top working order.

A nerve biopsy is another diagnostic tool used to distinguish other

neuromuscular disorders too. But if you don't need it, don't get it.

Know what I mean? Hey, I was a kid, and every new doc I saw had a

new " idea " on what disease I had. lol None of them came up with

any " new " findings. The first orthopedist who diagnosed me at age 10

was right on with CMT. My adult baseline EMG/NCV showed normal

readings too, with reinnervation, suggesting a neuronal (axonal) type

of CMT aka Type 2 of some sort.

~ Gretchen