emg/ncv
Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction velocity (NCV) are electrodiagnostic tests performed to measure the electrical activity of muscles and nerves.
Electromyography measures muscle response to nerve stimulation and evaluates electrical activity within selected muscle fibers. This test may help to differentiate between a muscle disorder and a nerve disorder, which can help your doctor to make an accurate diagnosis.
- What to Expect During EMG
A thin needle electrode is inserted through your skin into a specific muscle. As you relax and contract the muscle, the electrical impulses are recorded on an oscilloscope; a device that displays the electrical impulses in a wave-like pattern. Additionally, the doctor may listen to the results through a speaker.
Nerve conduction velocity measures the speed at which an electrical impulse travels along a nerve.
- What to Expect During NCV
Patch-like electrodes are applied to your skin in several places over the nerve to be tested. Low-level electricity is dispensed through the electrodes to stimulate the nerve. The amount of electricity is similar to a shock from static electricity. The velocity at which the electrical signal flows through the nerve is measured and displayed on a screen.