Nerve Conduction Studies & Electromyography (EMG)
Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS) and Electromyography (EMG) diagnose reported symptoms of numbness, tingling, pain, weakness, or muscle cramping.
Nerve Conduction Studies can help determine how well the body’s electrical signals are traveling to a nerve. During this part of the examination multiple nerves may be tested and small electrical stimulations are sent to the nerves to quantify the motor and sensory nerve function.
Electromyography is where a small, thin needle is inserted in multiple muscles in the arms or legs (or both). There may be a small amount of pain when the needle is placed, similar to acupuncture. The neurologist performs this part of the test.
These tests will not cause any damage to nerves or muscles and are very useful in determining function and response of the nerves and muscles. Complete testing of NCS/EMG may take approximately 45-60 minutes.
NCS & EMG F.A.Q.
EMG and NCS are electrodiagnostic technologies. Sacramento Imaging uses EMG and NCS to diagnose, assess, and treat patients who have problems that could involve nerve dysfunction: EMG (electromyogram) measures electrical signals in your muscles, which can identify any nerves that aren’t functioning correctly. To perform the test, your provider inserts very slim needles into specific parts of your muscles. The EMG device records the electrical activity and produces a printout for analysis. Nerve conduction studies (NCS), also known as nerve conduction velocity (NCV) tests, also measure nerve function. With NCS, your provider uses precisely calibrated electrical current to activate the nerves, then records how fast and efficiently your nerves respond. Most often, EMG and NCS take place in one session.
Your nerves communicate using electricity. Your brain and spinal cord (central nervous system or CNS) send messages to the nerves around your body, which then transmit instructions to your muscles. All of these signals use electrical impulses. EMG and NCS measure the speed of response and the strength of the electrical impulses in your nerves and muscles, which can help to isolate the nerves that aren’t working properly. It could be that your nerves aren’t getting the messages from your CNS as they should, or it might be that they aren’t communicating the right message to your muscles.
EMG and NCS can help in the diagnosis of conditions such as: Carpal tunnel syndrome, Muscular dystrophy, Myasthenia gravis, Nerve complications, Peripheral neuropathy, Pinched nerves, Guillain-Barré syndrome, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease)
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