EMG and Nerve Conduction Studies in San Jose, CA
At San Jose Pacific Neurology Center we perform EMG and Nerve Conduction Study to measure electrical activity of the muscles and find problems with damage muscle tissue and nerves. Your neurologist will order EMG when you show symptoms of muscle or nerve disorders for proper diagnosis. There are two components to an EMG test: the Nerve Conduction Study and needle EMG
The nerve conduction study is the first part of the EMG procedure. It involves placing small sensors called surface electrodes on the skin to assess the ability of the motor neurons to send electrical signals. The second part of the EMG procedure, known as needle EMG, also uses sensors to evaluate electrical signals. The sensors are called needle electrodes, and they are directly inserted into muscle tissue to evaluate muscle activity when at rest and when contracted.
An electrode releases a very mild electrical signal while the other electrodes measure how long it takes for the signal to reach them. This mimics the natural electrical signals sent by the nerves to the muscles. The distance between the electrodes and time it takes for a signal to reach them is used to determine the speed at which the nerves are able to send and receive signals. An abnormal speed usually indicates a muscle or nerve disorder.
- Muscle disorders, such as muscular dystrophy
- Disorders that affect the ability of the motor neuron to send electrical signals to the muscle
- Peripheral nerve disorders that affect the nerves outside the spinal cord, such as carpal tunnel syndrome
- Radiculopathies
- Nerve disorders, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)