Electromyography.
Electromyography (EMG) is a diagnostic procedure to assess the health of muscles and the nerve cells that control them (motor neurons). EMG results can reveal nerve dysfunction, muscle dysfunction or problems with nerve-to-muscle signal transmission. During a needle EMG, a needle electrode is inserted directly into a muscle that records the electrical activity in that muscle. A nerve conduction study, another part of an EMG, uses electrode stickers applied to the skin (surface electrodes) to measure the speed and strength of signals traveling between two or more points.Why it’s done?
Your doctor may order an EMG if you have signs or symptoms that may indicate a nerve or muscle disorder. Such symptoms may include: • Tingling • Numbness • Muscle weakness • Muscle pain or cramping • Certain types of limb pain EMG results are often necessary to help diagnose or rule out a number of conditions such as: • Muscle disorders, such as muscular dystrophy or polymyositis • Diseases affecting the connection between the nerve and the muscle, such as myasthenia gravis • Disorders of nerves outside the spinal cord (peripheral nerves), such as carpal tunnel syndrome or peripheral neuropathies • Disorders that affect the motor neurons in the brain or spinal cord, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or polio • Disorders that affect the nerve root, such as a herniated disk in the spine But the most common disorders that we examine with electromyography is the carpal nerve syndrome, ulnar neuropathy, diabetic polyneuropathy and sciatica.
How to prepare for the examination?
It does not need any particular preparation to do electromyography. However we recommend to: * Wear comfortable cloths * Do not wear any body cream or lotion * Inform the doctor who will examine you, if you are in any antiplatelet medication or if you have a pacemaker.