What is an EMG?
Electromyography, or EMG, is a diagnostic test to evaluate the health of your muscles and muscular nerves. The technology uses small electrodes, either attached to the skin surface or inserted into your muscles, to collect information. The electrodes pick up electrical signals in the muscles and translate them into informational graphs.
The team at Commonwealth Orthopaedic Associates uses this information to determine the cause of symptoms affecting your muscles, like:
- Cramping
- Tingling
- Numbness
- Weakness
An EMG can also determine the root cause of unexplained muscle pain unrelated to an injury or current health condition.
Why Do I Need an EMG?
Your Commonwealth Orthopaedic Associates physician may recommend an EMG to diagnose conditions like:
- Herniated disc
- Muscle disorders
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
Depending on your symptoms, an EMG may be useful in confirming a suspected diagnosis or ruling out underlying medical conditions that have similar symptoms.
What Happens During an EMG?
During an EMG, you can expect to lie still on an exam table while your Commonwealth Orthopaedic Associates physician attaches the electrodes to different areas of your body.
If you need to undergo a nerve conduction study, the physician inserts slender needles into your muscle tissue.
As the system collects data from the muscles, you may feel small spasms in the areas being tested. However, the overall procedure is painless and any discomfort you feel goes away immediately after the physician removes the electrodes or needles.
Throughout testing, you may need to move into different positions or contract your muscles per your physician’s instructions.
What are the Risks of Getting an EMG?
An EMG procedure is low-risk and causes no long-term health complications. You may experience some minor bruising in needle insertion areas, which fades a few days after the procedure.
You can expect to return to your normal activities after your EMG appointment without limitations.
How Do I Get the Results of an EMG?
EMG technology provides real-time results, which your Commonwealth Orthopaedic Associates physician reviews during your appointment. They discuss their findings and recommendations for treatment, based on your results.
To learn more about the diagnostic benefits of an EMG, schedule a consultation online or by phone today.
