NCS and EMG are done to test muscles and nerves.

It is an in-office procedure and does not require hospitalization.

On average, an EMG takes anywhere between 30 minutes and 2 hours.

It can be done at any time during the day.

An EMG is a test like an EKG or an X-ray. EMG is not a treatment.

Preparation:

Few preparations are needed on the day you have an EMG.        

Please notify your physician if you are taking a  blood thinner (aspirin, plavix, coumadin, lovenox, etc) as there is a

 chance of bleeding in to your muscles during needle EMG.

Please do not apply any lotion, cream or ointment on the day of test.

You will be required to change into a gown for the test.

You can have regular meals before the test.

You can drive yourself.

You can go back to work after the test.

Take all your medications on the day of the test.

If required, you can take pain medication (Tylenol, Motrin) before the test.

No sedation is given during the test.

Procedure:

During this test, you will be lying on an examination table, next to an EMG machine (which looks like a laptop or

desktop computer). The test consists of two parts. At times one may be done without the other.

Nerve Conduction Studies

The first part is called Nerve Conduction Studies. In this part brief electrical shocks are delivered to your arm or leg

similar to a “funny bone feeling”, one gets when the elbow hits a hard surface. The procedure consists of stimulating

a nerve and the response is recorded by the electrodes. The strength of the current varies and the electric shock at

time s may be uncomfortable. As the electric stimulation is for a brief duration there is no discomfort in between

stimulations and will not last long. The response is recorded on the computer and can be observed on the computer

 screen.  As there are several nerves in a limb, the procedure is repeated to test the different nerves.

Electromyography

The second part of the test is called Needle electromyography.  A needle is stuck into different muscles and the

 response is recorded on the computer screen. The needles are thin and  very fine. They are thinner than the needles

 used to draw blood. Usually 5-6 muscles are tested in each limb and at times other muscles in the body may be

tested depending on the diagnosis.  No electric shocks are delivered at time of the needle EMG test.

Results:

The test results will be ready later that day and will be faxed or mailed to your primary care physician and the

referring physician.