Electromyography (EMG) and Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS)

The EMG and NCS are essentially two halves of a complete electrodiagnostic study. 

During an EMG, a small pin is used to record electrical signals that our muscles and nerves put out during normal activity. Within the fibers of the muscles, there is “chatter” between the nerve endings and each muscle fiber, and the trained physician essentially “listens in on the conversation” between the muscles and nerves. 

During the NCS, small recording electrodes are taped to the surface of the skin while a small external electric impulse is applied to the skin overlying a nerve. This impulse travels a given distance along the course of the nerve in a certain amount of time which is accurately recorded down to the hundredth of a millisecond! The velocity of the impulse along with other data points are interpreted and can shed light on various abnormalities if and when present. 

An EMG/NCS is often performed when patients have unexplained symptoms such as numbness, tingling, weakness, or radiating pain in their arms or legs. These symptoms when present alongside neck pain and/or lower back pain may indicate nerve compression at these anatomic locations or could also indicate entrapment of nerves further along their course such as at the elbow, wrist, or knee. This test may also be helpful in localizing the anatomic location of nerve injury following an accident. By further understanding what is causing these symptoms, doctors are able to provide treatment that is more accurate and targeted for success. 

Conditions that EMG/NCS testing helps diagnose include:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Cubital tunnel syndrome
• Radiculopathy
• Generalized Peripheral Neuropathies
• Muscle diseases
• ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease)
• Myasthenia gravis

Medical Providers will also order testing if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Numbness
• Decreased sensation
• Tingling or frequent feeling of "pins and needles"
• Radiating pain or burning sensation into arms or legs
• Muscle spasms or weakness
• Difficulty performing daily tasks such as walking, buttoning clothes or handling objects

EMG’s are considered low risk procedures.  The procedure lasts around 30-60 minutes and is performed by a skilled practitioner.  AVORS has Dr. Orlando Pena, who trained under a well-recognized expert in the field of electrodiagnostic medicine at the University of Texas at San Antonio. He has performed many hundreds of EMG/NCS in his residency training alone.  You are in skilled hands.

• Take a shower or bath shortly before your exam in order to remove oils from your skin. 
• Don't apply lotions or creams to your arms or legs before the exam.
• Tell your provider any important personal or family history such as if you:

1. Have a pacemaker or any other electrical medical device
2. Take blood-thinning medications
3. Have hemophilia, a blood-clotting disorder that causes prolonged bleeding
4. Have ever had a negative reaction to nerve conduction studies in the past

The physiatrist will interpret the results of your exam and prepare a report with the electrodiagnostic impression.  Your primary care provider or the medical provider who ordered the test will discuss the report with you at the appropriate follow-up appointment.

AVORS Medical Group is proud to offer premier Interventional Pain Management services to our patients in California.  We are able to provide this service because our providers are board certified Board Certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R), and highly rated in Pain Management.  Interventional Pain Management providers deliver minimally invasive treatments that can help patients take back their lives and dramatically reduce pain.