When a patient exhibits a muscle or nerve disorder, a doctor will likely order an EMG. What is the purpose of a doctor ordering an EMG?

It is determined by how many muscles and nerves your doctor examines. Nerve conduction tests can last from 15 minutes to an hour or longer. How long does it take to perform an EMG NCV test?Īn EMG can take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes. Is the EMG/NCV test painful?ĮMG testing can be uncomfortable, but it is generally well-tolerated without pain medicine. What is EMG NCV test done?ĮMG/NCV tests is done to allow physicians to determine the cause of muscle cramping, extremity weakness, spine-related issues that cause numbness and tingling sensations, and other crippling health conditions. Using this information, he or she will be able to make the best, accurate diagnosis of the underlying cause of your hand/wrist/forearm pain.Frequently Asked Questions 1. Other nerves traversing the forearm/wrist may also be involved such as the ulnar (ring finger side) and radial (back of hand) nerves. Together, these various exams and tests, the EMG Test being the most specific and accurate test, will give your doctor a more complete picture where your nerve is pinched and confirm median nerve compression in the carpal tunnel. However it may not show minor nerve compression in the carpal tunnel that often may be the cause of your symptoms.ĮMG testing is the most effective test to accurately diagnosis Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Upper Extremity Overuse Syndrome. Your doctor may order a 3T (Tesla) MRI If your doctor thinks it's possible you have carpal tunnel causing your hand/wrist pain. To diagnose carpal tunnel correctly and develop a list of possible causes, an EMG/NCV (Electromyography/Nerve Conduction Velocity Study) is the most accurate and correct test and is required. How Your Doctor Properly Diagnoses Carpal Tunnel Nerve Pain In the physical exam and neurological exam your doctor will observe any swelling, limitation in movement, any movement that causes you pain and your symptom pattern, test your reflexes, muscle strength, and other nerve changes.

Persistent compression or chaffing creates scar tissue which only make the condition worse so Early diagnosis is important. Additionally this test can be ordered if the hand numbness, tingling or weakness persists greater than 3 months with no relief from other therapies EVEN IF YOU HAVE ONLY MINOR SYMPTOMS. The test can be ordered after 1 month of symptoms of numbness, tingling, weakness in the hand/wrist/forearm where the symptoms are moderate to severe or persistent referred pain from the neck or forearm to hand is in your overall history with no relief from other therapies.

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