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EMG & NCS
An Electromyography (EMG) and Nerve Conduction Study (NCS) help in the diagnosis
of conditions or diseases affecting the peripheral nerves, muscles, neuromuscular
junction and motor neuron.
General Indications for EMG & NCS are:
Numbness, tingling,
burning sensation or pain, limb pain (arm or leg), muscle weakness and/or atrophy
and "worm-
Indications for EMG & NCS are:
• Facial nerve
palsy
• Carpal tunnel syndrome (median nerve entrapment at wrist)
• Cubital tunnel
syndrome (ulnar nerve entrapment at elbow)
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome (plantar nerve
entrapment at ankle)
• Nerve injuries or lesions
• Peripheral neuropathy such as diabetic
neuropathy
• Radiculopathies -
• Brachial and lumbar
plexus injury
• Guillain Barre syndrome
• Congenital and acquired neuropathies
• Myopathies,
i.e. muscular dystrophy
• Neuromuscular junction disorders such as myasthenia gravis
•
Motor neuron diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
There is minimal preparation required on the part of the patient
for an EMG & NCS. You can do any of your normal activities such as eating, drinking,
or exercising prior to the test. Patients are encouraged to take their normal medications
as prescribed.
Patients are urged to keep the area of testing clean and free of fragrance,
lotion and/or cream.
Your test will generally take between 30–60 minutes depending
on the study that has been ordered.
Patients may experience some discomfort or pain
during the testing. This is reported during the insertion of an electrode (EMG).
However, most patients test without difficulty. Following the testing, muscles may
be tender and sore. Patients may also experience some mild bruising for a few days.
During the nerve conduction studies (NCS) a brief but intense electrical stimulus
is provided to a nerve to measure the conduction of the impulse.
Be sure to tell
your physician about any medications that you are taking, specifically aspirin, blood-
If you are being treated by the physician, a
treatment plan will be discussed with you. If you have been referred to us by another
provider for the study only, we will provide the results to the referring doctor
and direct you back for available treatment options. Your referring doctor will receive
a comprehensive, detailed report for review.