Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS)

Nerve conduction study test how well signals travel along a nerve and can help find the cause of abnormal nerve function. Signals are made to travel along the nerve by applying small electrical pulses to the nerve at one site and recording the response at a different place along the nerve. The small electric pulses cause a short, mild tingling feeling with a brief contraction of some muscles of the extremity. The nerve's response is picked up by a recording instrument and then is measured by the physician performing the test. Several nerves may need to be tested depending on the type of problem.

Electromyogram (EMG)

During the needle EMG portion of the examination, the physician inserts a small needle into a muscle to record the electrical activity of the muscle.

The electrical activity of the muscle is fed into the recording instrument and the physician then analyzes it by looking at a signal on the scope and listening to the sounds the activity makes through the speaker. This test can help determine if there are abnormalities in the muscle or the nerve going to it.

There may be mild discomfort when the needle is inserted into the muscle. A very fine needle is used so that you experience the least amount of discomfort. Because the needle is so fine you rarely bleed more than one or two drops.