He or she will insert a small sterile needle into your muscle and position an electrode nearby on your skin, which will measure the electrical signal and send a recording of your movements to a monitor to help your doctor diagnosis any conditions. Your doctor will ask you to either lay down or sit, depending on which muscles are being tested. We’ll ask you to remove any remaining jewelry or metal objects that interfere with the procedure or results. When you arrive at the clinic, our staff will show you to the testing room. Dress in layers that can easily be removed to allow access for testing. On the day of your EMG, avoid using any lotions or oils on your skin. An EMG uses a needle electrode inserted into the muscle to record electrical activity. Please tell your doctor if you are on blood thinners or if you have any implantable devices such as a pacemaker (this is not a reason not to have the test they just need to be aware of this).Įlectromyography What is an electromyography (EMG)?Īn electromyography is used to evaluate muscle function. This is a good time to talk with your doctor about any questions you might have. Prior to your testīefore your procedure, your doctor will explain the electrodiagnostic test so you know what to expect. They also can be used to diagnose neuromuscular disorders including muscular dystrophy, ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), myasthenia gravis and neuropathy.īased on the results of your test, the specialists at MU Health Care can provide a personalized treatment plan to help you recover.

These tests could be used to diagnose orthopaedic conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, foot drop, wrist drop, pinched nerve in the neck or back (radiculopathy), and sciatica. Both are performed by a physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor or a neurologist. There are two primary types of electrodiagnostic tests: electromyography and nerve conduction studies. Electrodiagnostic testing measures electrical activity produced by muscles and nerves in your body, and it is used to determine if you have an injury related to nerve or muscle function.

Emg normal but still have pain