You may follow your regular meal schedule. No, fasting is not necessary for these tests. If a patient finds this too unpleasant (which happens only rarely) the test can be stopped at any time. There can be some minor discomfort during the needle examination but many of our patients report surprisingly little discomfort from this part of the test. In addition, all of our staff have had these tests many times, so they are able to understand your concerns. The majority of our patients tolerate this part of the test very well. Most patients describe it as being similar to receiving a small "static shock" from a doorknob or carpet in the winter. Does it hurt?įor some people, there may be a small amount of discomfort associated with the nerve conduction studies.
Our needles, in addition to being very small, do not inject anything, nor do they take any samples from your muscles, they just "listen" to your muscle. The needle acts like a microphone and picks up the electrical activity in your muscle, which can then be evaluated to see if there are any abnormalities. Whether or not you will need needle EMG depends on what your doctor has asked us to investigate. The needle used in our test is probably the smallest needle you will ever get. It is important to note that not all of our studies require needle EMG. This needle is placed gently into specific muscle groups, depending on the problem we are investigating.
Some of our tests do involve using a very small needle. A number of specific localized problems such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Bell's Palsy, Myasthenia Gravis, and many others can also be tested using NCS techniques.įor further general information, see our EMG informational pamphlet. The response from your nerve is recorded by an EMG machine. By testing a number of nerves, a generalized assessment of your peripheral nerves and muscles can be made. In the nerve conduction studies (NCS), various nerves, usually in the arm or leg, will be stimulated with a small, harmless electrical pulse. There are 2 parts to the test, nerve conduction testing, and an optional needle exam (see below). What exactly is an EMG Test? Will there be needles? Does it hurt? Do I have to fast? How do I prepare for the test? Do I need to stop taking my medication? What should I wear? How long will it take? How long will I have to wait? What are they testing for? When will I find out about the test results? Is it an ultrasound? Can I drive afterwards? Can my spouse/child/relative come in to the exam room with me? How do I get to University Hospital? Where is the EMG Lab in the hospital? Where do I park and how much does it cost? What exactly is an EMG Test?Īn EMG test is a detailed investigation of the health of your peripheral nervous system (basically, this means all of the nerves outside your brain and spinal cord).
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