II. Indications
- Diabetic Neuropathy Screening in Diabetes Mellitus
III. Exam: Monofilament
- Sensation triggered by 10-g Monofilament correlates with protective Sensation
- Technique
- Monofilament applied to at least 4 sites on each foot
- Apply just enough pressure to bend monofilament
- Interpretation: Unable to feel 4 sites on foot
- Suggests significant Peripheral Neuropathy
- Risk of Foot Ulcer or Charcot Joint
- Efficacy (low Test Sensitivity)
- Test Sensitivity: 53%
- Test Specificity: 88%
- References
IV. Exam: Tuning Fork Test (alternative)
- Tuning fork (128 hz) applied to malleolus
- Lack of Sensation suggests Peripheral Neuropathy
- Less sensitive than 10-g monofilament