ELECTRO-DIAGNOSTIC STUDIES (EMG/NCS)

ELECTRO-DIAGNOSTIC STUDIES (EMG/NCS)

Sports, Pain & Regenerative Institute

Nerves use electrical impulses to coordinate muscle movement in our bodies. Diseases affecting the muscles and nerves can result in abnormal electrical activity.

Electromyography (EMG) and Nerve conduction studies are diagnostic tests used to detect nerve and muscle disorders and to evaluate the functioning of your nerves and muscles. An EMG is designed to record the electrical activity produced by the muscles, during rest and contraction. Nerve conduction studies measure the conductivity of the nerves.

Your doctor may arrive at a diagnosis based on the results of the EMG along with information from your medical history, physical and neurological examinations, and results from other tests.

Indications
EMG testing can be used for the diagnosis of a variety of disorders that damage muscle tissue, nerves, or the junctions between nerve and muscle such as a herniated disc, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or myasthenia gravis (MG). An EMG can also be used to evaluate the cause of weakness, paralysis, and muscle twitching.

Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS) are used to detect damage or injury to the peripheral nervous system (PNS), which consists of the extracranial nerves and spinal cord. This test can be used to diagnose neurological disorders, such as carpal tunnel syndrome or Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Before the procedure
Certain medications that act on the nervous system can cause abnormal test results. Therefore, your physician may advise you to stop these medicines 3 to 6 days prior to your procedure. If you are on blood thinners, your doctor may ask you to stop taking them, before the test. Also, inform your doctor if you have a pacemaker implanted. You will be instructed not to smoke, eat or drink foods that contain caffeine for 3 hours before the test.

Procedure
Electromyography is performed by an EMG technologist or a doctor. It may be conducted in a doctor's office, hospital or clinic. During the test, you will be asked to sit on a reclining chair or lie

ELECTRO-DIAGNOSTIC STUDIES (EMG/NCS)