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Electrodiagnostic Studies
Keywords: electrodiagnostic, NCV, EMG, nerve conduction, electromyography
Electrodiagnostic studies refer to two different tests that examine the health of muscles and nerves.
Nerve Conduction Velocities (NCV) test how well a nerve can conduct an electrical signal, much like a wire conducts electricity. By giving a nerve a small stimulation, and then measuring how long it takes to conduct that signal to another point, the physician can calculate the speed of nerve conduction. If a nerve is injured or compressed, the speed of conduction may be impaired. NCVs can also help localize where a nerve is injured or compressed.
Electromyography (EMG) involves testing the health of individual muscles. By giving a specific muscle a small electrical stimulation, the physician can measure how the muscle behaves electrically. This is useful to detect any damage to a muscle, or to determine if there is long-term nerve damage to that muscle.
Both of these types of studies are generally performed by a specialist, either a Neurologist or Physiatrist. There is occasionally some discomfort with these tests, although they are not excruciating! As with any test, there are several limitations with these studies; they often give helpful information, but need to be interpreted only with a good clinical examination.
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