does painful emg test indicatr nerve damage

Nerve conduction studies also may be used during treatment to test the progress being made. The needle EMG test is used to evaluate a number of conditions, including muscle weakness, muscle pain, and nerve damage. However, the test is typically brief, and most people find the pain to be tolerable. By stimulating the nerve at various places, the doctor can determine the specific site of the injury. The needle EMG test can be a bit painful, as the needle electrode is inserted into the muscle. If the nerve is damaged, however, the signal will be slower and weaker. In healthy nerves, electrical signals can travel up to 120 miles per hour. As the current travels down the nerve pathway, the electrodes placed along the way capture the signal and time how fast the signal is traveling. Then the doctor stimulates the nerve with an electric current. NCS are often done along with the EMG to determine if a nerve is functioning normally.The doctor conducting the test will tape wires (electrodes) to the skin in various places along the nerve pathway.

EMG results can help the doctor diagnose muscle disorders, nerve disorders, and disorders affecting the connection between nerves and muscles. These symptoms may include tingling, numbness, or unexplained weakness in the limbs. A doctor will usually order an EMG when someone is showing symptoms of a muscle or nerve disorder. The discomfort is generally mild and does not require sedatives or anesthesia. An EMG translates these signals into graphs or numbers, helping doctors to make a diagnosis. Is the EMG test painful There can be some discomfort during an EMG. They transmit electrical signals that cause muscles to contract and relax. These nerve cells are known as motor neurons. Your doctor may order an EMG if you have signs or symptoms that may indicate a nerve or muscle disorder.

Electromyography (EMG) is a diagnostic procedure that evaluates the health condition of muscles and the nerve cells that control them.

Does painful emg test indicatr nerve damage