Why You May Need an EMG Test

Prior to the EMG test, your doctor will ask about your medical history and about any medications you are currently taking. Be honest, and tell the doctor or other medical professional if you have a blood-clotting disorder or if you are taking medications meant to thin the blood. You also want to tell them about any electrical medical device, such as a pacemaker, as this can affect the test.

The doctor may request that you refrain from stimulants, such as caffeine or tobacco, for a specified period of time before the test. To ensure the accuracy of the EMG test, make sure your skin is free of oils and lotions. You should also wear clothes that make it easy to access the area of testing.

Another question that you may have is what is an EMG test like? In most cases, the EMG test occurs as an outpatient procedure, unless your injuries are more severe and you are in the hospital. A neurologist is present for the procedure, as is a technician. To begin, you remove all clothing, accessories such as jewelry and glasses and any metal objects on you so that the neurologist has clear access to the muscle and surrounding area.

The person performing the test locates the muscle. Depending on the testing location, you either lay down or sit in a chair for the procedure. The neurologist applies an antiseptic to the muscle to make sure it is clean. Next, he or she either attaches adhesive electrodes to the skin or inserts needle electrodes into multiple areas of the muscle. The number of electrodes used varies depending on the area of study, symptoms, and other factors.

The person conducting the EMG test may ask you to perform different actions involving your muscle. This may include slight contractions, resting, and strong contractions. You may also need to move the muscle in different directions so the neurologist can get a complete picture of what is going on. During the test, a machine measures the nerve’s activity during different muscle actions, and a technician takes notes about the data.

Many people do not notice much, if any, discomfort throughout the test. If you do have pain, let the neurologist know so he or she can make adjustments.

After the completion of the test, the technician or neurologist removes the electrodes. You may have some minor bruising or soreness for a couple of days after the procedure if needles were used. This is normal, but let your doctor know if you have pain, swelling, or signs of an infection.

After the procedure, the neurologist takes a close look at the graphs and other data of the EMG test. If there was electrical activity while the muscle was at rest, this can indicate certain conditions, while if there is abnormal activity during muscle contraction, this can indicate other conditions.

The test is not a diagnostic tool on its own, but it does help a neurologist narrow down the possibilities. Based on the results, you may need to partake in additional diagnostic tests. In some cases, a neurologist orders an EMG to confirm a suspected diagnosis.

If you have had an accident at work, you were in a car crash, or you sustained injuries from another incident, you may be suffering from a variety of muscle and nerve-related symptoms. Our neurologists at Neuro Injury Care are ready to assist you in figuring out what the issue is so you can receive the proper treatment and be free of symptoms.

If you are wondering what an EMG is, we can schedule a consultation with you to review your symptoms and answer any questions you have. If we determine that there may be nerve or muscle damage, we can schedule an EMG test to help figure out the problem. We accept workers’ compensation, no-fault, medical liens, and most health insurance plans. Contact us today to get started.