Nerve conduction studies are usually completed using electromyography(EMG). Electromyography measures the electrical impulses of the muscles at rest and when contracted. These studies are usually required to determine how well individual nerves transmit electrical signals to the muscles.

Many factors, like peripheral pain, may lead to the need for a comprehensive evaluation and treatment of extremity pain. This may include specialized assessment of the nerves transmitting the pain. Extremity pain may be the result of herniated discs affecting nerve roots in the spine, or, distal nerve constriction such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

Electrical testing of the nerves using EMG may determine the site of nerve compression. This accurate and objective clinical test, coupled with a localized neurological exam can aid the physician in diagnosing disorders that may or may not require surgery. 

Electromyograms are also useful in determining whether there has been pressure on a nerve or nerve root degeneration.

The orthopedic specialists at Lansing Orhopedics may use electromyography to diagnose any of the following conditions:

• Diagnose diseases that damage muscle tissue, nerves or the points where nerve and muscle join. These disorders include a herniated disc, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or myasthenia gravis.

• Find out the cause of weakness, paralysis, involuntary muscle twitching or other symptoms. Problems in a muscle, the nerves controlling a muscle, the spinal cord or the brain can all cause these kinds of symptoms.

Measuring the electrical activity in muscles and nerves can help find diseases that damage muscle tissue (such as muscular dystrophy) or nerves (such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or peripheral neuropathies).  To read more about electodiagnsis, please click here.