Nerve Conduction Studies/Electromyogram
A nerve conduction study (NCS) stimulates specific nerves and records their ability to send the impulse to the muscle. The study can show if there is any blockage in the nerve pathway.
Nerve Conduction Studies Are Done To:
- Find and evaluate damage to nerves.
- Help diagnose nerve disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome or Guillain-Barre’ syndrome.
- Find the location of abnormal sensations such as numbness, tingling, or pain.
What Takes Place During The Study:
Several flat electrodes are taped or pasted to your skin. A shock-emitting electrode is placed directly over the nerve to the studied. A recording electrode is placed over the muscles supplied by the nerve. Several brief electrical pulses are sent to the nerve. You will feel a brief burning pain, a tingling sensation and a twitching of the muscle when the electrical pulse is applied. It feels like the tingling you feel when you rub your foot on the carpet then touch a metal object. Keep in mind that only a very low-voltage electrical current is used. Each pulse is very brief (less than a millisecond).
The study takes about 15 minutes to an hour or more depending on how many areas are studied.
An Electromyogram (EMG) is often done at the same time just following the Nerve Conduction Study.
EMG
An Electromyogram (EMG) is a test that is used to record the electrical activity of muscles. When the muscles are active, they produce an electrical current. This current is usually proportional to the level of the muscle activity.
EMGs are used to detect abnormal muscle electrical activity that can occur in many diseases and conditions, including inflammation of muscles, pinched nerves, damage to nerves in arms and legs, disk herniation, muscular dystrophy, and ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease.
How Test Is Administered:
A needle electrode is inserted into the muscle (feeling similar to an injection). The signal from the muscle is then transmitted from the needle electrode through a wire (or more recently, wirelessly) to a receiver/amplifier, which is connected to a device that displays a read-out. The results are explained by your physician at your follow-up appointment.
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Current News
Fall 2008
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4140 Ferncreek Drive Ste 801
Fayetteville, NC 28314
910-484-2171
6000 Ramsey Street Ste. 108
Fayetteville, NC 28311
910-484-3332
Email : info@capefearortho.com |
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