An electromyogram (EMG) measures the electrical activity of muscles at rest and during contraction. Nerve conduction studies measure how well and how fast the nerves can send electrical signals.
Nerves control the muscles in the body with electrical signals, called impulses, which make the muscles react in specific ways. Nerve and muscle problems cause the muscles to react in abnormal ways.
If you have leg pain or numbness, you may have tests to find out how much your nerves are being affected. These tests check how well the nerves in your spine, arms, and legs are working.
PROCEDURE
An EMG can be done at our Weil Foot & Ankle Institute podiatry office in Kenosha, WI. It’s conducted by one of our EMG technologists or expert foot doctors, and performed in a room that blocks all outside electrical interference.
You will be asked to lie on a table or bed or to sit in a reclining chair to relax your muscles.
The skin over the areas to be tested is cleaned, then covered with an electrode that is attached by wires to a recording machine.
When the electrodes are in place, the electrical activity in that muscle is recorded while the muscle is at rest. Then the technologist or doctor asks you to tighten (or contract) the muscle slowly and steadily. This electrical activity is recorded.
The electrode may be moved a number of times to record the activity in different areas of the muscle or in different muscles.
The electrical activity in the muscle is shown as wavy and spiky lines on a video monitor and may also be heard on a loudspeaker as machine gun-like popping sounds when you contract the muscle. The activity may also be recorded on video.
An EMG may take 30 to 60 minutes. When the test is done, the electrodes are removed, and your skin is cleaned.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Please call our podiatry office at 847-390-7666 if you have any additional questions about EMGs or Nerve Conduction Tests. We will be happy to provide you with all the information that you may need.
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