What to Expect During an EMG/NCS?
An Electromygraphy (EMG) and Nerve Conduction Study (NCS) has been ordered, and when it was described to you, your first thought was, “I am getting a needle torture test!” Well you can relax, we are not in the torture business! You are getting EMG test because you have numbness, tingling, pain, weakness, or muscle cramping. Most likely this test has been recommended to see if your muscles and nerves are working correctly.
You may have problems in only one part of your body or throughout your body. The results of the tests will help your provider decide what is wrong and how it can be treated. The Results from EMG and NCSs need to be used along with your history, symptoms, physical and neurological examinations, and all test results to establish a diagnosis or evaluate how a disease is progressing. Read on to learn what to expect during the test. You will discover that this test is easy-peasy.
Electromyography
An EMG records and analyzes the electrical activity in your muscles. It is used to learn more about the functioning of nerves that act on the muscles in the arms and legs. When a normal muscle is at rest, it is electrically silent. During an EMG, a small, thin needle similar to an acupuncture needle, is placed in the different muscles to record their electrical activity. When the needle is inserted, you may feel some mild discomfort.
The doctor will ask you to relax the muscle and to tense it slightly. The doctor will listen and watch a TV-like screen that broadcasts the electrical signals. You will also be able to hear the signal sounds as you move the muscle. When the needles are removed, you may experience some soreness and bruising, but this will disappear in a few days. There are no long-term side effects.
Nerve Conduction Studies
The NCS shows how well the body’s electrical signals are traveling to a nerve. This is done by applying small electrical current to the nerve and recording how the nerve works. These currents cause a quick and mild tingling feeling.
The doctor may perform this test in several areas to test different nerves at different levels. Although you may initially be startled by the suddenness of the stimulation, it is not painful, and most people are comfortable during the testing procedure. The sensation is similar to one received when you touch a doorknob after walking across carpeting.
Who does the testing?
The American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine’s policy is that an appropriately trained physician should do all needle testing. A trained assistant or technologist under a doctor’s supervision can do nerve conduction studies.
Did you know that Kansas City Bone and Joint Clinic has the only accredited EMG/NCS lab in the greater KC area, as well as the entire state of Kansas?
Kansas City Bone & Joint Clinic is the first EMG laboratory in Kansas to receive Exemplary Laboratory Accreditation status from the American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM). Atul T. Patel, M.D., certified by the American Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine (ABEM), is the laboratory’s medical director.
What Training Do You Need to Perform an EMG/NCS?
Doctors who perform EMG/NCS’s go to 4 years of medical school, then have 3 or 4 more years of training in a residency program. Most work as neurologists or physical medicine and rehabilitation doctors. Medical training helps the doctor decide which tests to perform based on your symptoms. The training teaches doctors what can go wrong with the human body and how to tell the difference between these problems.
How should I prepare for the tests?
Tell the doctor if you are taking aspirin, blood thinners (like Coumadin), have a pacemaker, lung disease, hemophilia, or at risk for an infection. Please bring a list of all of your medications with you for the doctor performing the test. If you have been diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis, ask your EMG doctor if you should take any medications before the tests.
The day of the test, take a bath or shower to remove oil from your skin. Do not use body lotion or wear jewelry on the extremity being tested on the day of the test. You do no need to restrict your food or fluids. Wear loose-fitting clothing that permits access to the muscles and nerves to be tested, or easily removed if a hospital gown is provided.
How long will these tests take?
The tests usually take 20 to 90 minutes. You can do any of your normal activities like eating, driving, and exercising before the tests. There are no lasting side effects. You can also do your normal activities after the tests.
When will I know the test results?
The EMG doctor will briefly discuss your test results with you or send them to your regular doctor. After the exam, check with the doctor who sent you for the EMG test for the next step in your care.
Author: Stephanie Jones