EMG
An electromyography (EMG) test is a diagnostic procedure used to gain insights into your muscle health and nerve function. The test will assess how well your muscles and the nerves that control them are working. EMG tests are essential for diagnosing various conditions that affect muscle function, such as nerve disorders like neuropathy, muscle diseases like myopathy, and issues like carpal tunnel syndrome or sciatica. By measuring electrical activity in your muscles, these tests help identify issues enabling timely and effective interventions. Whether you’re an athlete aiming to optimize performance or a patient seeking answers to unexplained symptoms, EMG tests provide critical information for a path to recovery and improved quality of life.
Why would I need an EMG?
If you’re experiencing unexplained muscle weakness, persistent tingling, or numbness in your extremities, an EMG can help identify whether these issues stem from nerve compression or damage. Additionally, frequent muscle cramps or spasms may indicate an underlying neuromuscular condition that an EMG can assess. If you’ve sustained an injury, particularly in sports or work, an EMG can evaluate the extent of any nerve or muscle damage and offer a prognosis for recovery. Ultimately, the insights gained from an EMG can inform tailored treatment plans, helping you recover more effectively and regain control of your health.
What happens during an EMG?
Prior to the EMG you might be asked to avoid certain medications, applying skin creams/lotions and wearing comfortable clothing is also recommended. The test is composed of two parts: a nerve conduction study and a needle EMG. During the test surface electrodes (small, sticky pads) will be placed on your skin over the muscles being tested. The skin overlying your nerves will then be gently stimulated using an e-stim device. This will measure how the muscle and nerve are communicating with each other. This will be repeated for each nerve being studied. Next, a small thin needle will be placed into the muscles of interest. The needle has a recording device at the tip which allows it to analyze the health of the muscle. The muscle is evaluated both at rest and while minimally activated. This part can feel a bit uncomfortable, but it’s usually quick. Once all the data is collected the examiner will interpret the results.
What should I expect after an EMG?
You can usually go back to your normal activities right after the test, although you might feel some soreness at the needle sites which typically resolves in under 24 hours. The results of the test will be sent back to your referring physician/surgeon who you can then discuss what the next best steps would be for your care. Sometimes the test will need to be repeated several months later to ensure that the muscles and nerves are recovering properly.