Table 1 Physical examination of the peripheral nerves by two blinded examiners (Scores in brackets)

Grading into five levels [3,19]:

   • Grade 5 Contraction against powerful resistance, normal power (score = 0)

   • Grade 4+ Contraction against gravity and strong resistance (score = 1)

   • Grade 4 Contraction against gravity and moderate resistance (score = 2)

   • Grade 4- Contraction against gravity and slight resistance (score = 3)

   • Grade 3 * Contraction against gravity only (score = 3)

*No pareses minor than grade 3 were observed.

Sensibility to light touch, pain (pinprick), and vibration (tuning fork 256 Hz)

Grading into three levels:

   • Normal (score = 0)

   • Mild/any deviation of sensibility (score = 1)

   • Marked deviation of sensibility (score = 2)

Nerve trunks mechanosensitivity assessed by palpation

Grading into four levels:

   • No/normal tenderness (score = 0)

   • Mild/any mechanical allodynia (score = 1)

   • Medium mechanical allodynia (score = 2)

   • Marked mechanical allodynia (score = 3)