EMG/NCV (Electromyography) Diagnostic Testing in Knoxville

If your muscles feel sore or uncharacteristically weak and you don’t know why, a couple of specific tests can help determine the underlying cause.

One is a nerve conduction study (NCS), or Nerve Conduction Velocity Study. The other is electromyography (EMG). Both tests are often done at the same time, and their results are evaluated to figure out whether you have nerve damage or a muscular problem. Your nervous system produces electrical impulses that travel quickly throughout your body. Several body conditions interrupt the electrical activity in your nerves and can lead to pain, weakness, or tingling in your muscles.

The nerve conduction study test measures how strong and how fast the electrical activity is in a specific nerve. The test can detect whether your nerve has been damaged.

What is a nerve conduction study (NCS)?

Your nervous system produces electrical impulses that travel quickly throughout your body. Several body conditions interrupt the electrical activity in your nerves and can lead to pain, weakness, or tingling in your muscles.

The nerve conduction study test measures how strong and how fast the electrical activity is in a specific nerve. The test can detect whether your nerve has been damaged.

What Is electromyography (EMG)?

The movement of your muscles depends on the nerve signals sent by the brain. Electromyography is a test to measure how well your muscles are responding to those signals.

Electromyography is commonly used to detect and diagnose neuromuscular disorders.

What conditions EMG and NCV are used to diagnose?

The tests may be advised for people who are experiencing following symptoms that don’t go away:

Muscle weakness
Pain or cramping
Tingling or numbness
Chronic lethargy

Both tests can help doctors/neurophysicians diagnose what’s wrong with you. These tests are highly sensitive and can even help detect conditions that you don’t currently have such as;

Spinal nerve problems, such as radiculopathy from a herniated disk or other spinal disc diseases
Neuromuscular diseases- muscle and nerve injuries or diseases including inflammatory myopathy, motor neuron diseases such as Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS) and other conditions
Peripheral nerve problems in your legs or arms, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and traumatic median nerve damage, Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome, peroneal nerve injuries etc
Guillain-Barré syndrome, a body condition in which your immune system attacks the peripheral nerves in your arms and legs
Pinched nerves
Damage from cancer drugs
Neuropathies, such as acute/chronic inflammatory polyneuropathy and diabetic neuropathy
Sciatic nerve problems

NCS can also help your physician see how well you are recovering from a nerve or muscular injury.

What conditions EMG and NCV are used to diagnose?

The tests may be advised for people who are experiencing following symptoms that don’t go away:

Muscle weakness
Pain or cramping
Tingling or numbness
Chronic lethargy

Both tests can help doctors/neurophysicians diagnose what’s wrong with you. These tests are highly sensitive and can even help detect conditions that you don’t currently have such as;

Spinal nerve problems, such as radiculopathy from a herniated disk or other spinal disc diseases
Neuromuscular diseases- muscle and nerve injuries or diseases including inflammatory myopathy, motor neuron diseases such as Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS) and other conditions
Peripheral nerve problems in your legs or arms, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and traumatic median nerve damage, Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome, peroneal nerve injuries etc
Guillain-Barré syndrome, a body condition in which your immune system attacks the peripheral nerves in your arms and legs
Pinched nerves
Damage from cancer drugs
Neuropathies, such as acute/chronic inflammatory polyneuropathy and diabetic neuropathy
Sciatic nerve problems

NCS can also help your physician see how well you are recovering from a nerve or muscular injury.

How do I prepare for an EMG/NCV test?

When scheduling these tests, your physician will ask about conditions, behaviors, or medications that might affect the results, such as:

Alcohol abuse
Diabetes
Systemic diseases
Hypothyroidism
Use of certain neurologic medications, such as psychotropic drugs, muscle relaxants, and opioids.

It’s also important for your physician to know if you have a medical device, such as a pacemaker. The electrodes used in the EMG and NCV test may affect the electronic signals of your prosthetic implant.
Stop using any oils or creams on your skin a few days before the test. Oily products can prevent the electrodes from being correctly placed on the skin. Fasting usually is not necessary, but your doctor may advise avoiding caffeine beforehand.

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