Differences Between EMG and Nerve Conduction Studies

NCV is often used along with an EMG to tell the difference between a nerve disorder and a muscle disorder. NCV detects a problem with the nerve, whereas an EMG detects whether the muscle is working properly in response to the nerve's stimulus.

1. What is the difference between an EMG and a nerve conduction test?
2. What is the difference between electromyography and electromyogram?
3. What does a nerve conduction study show?
4. What is EMG test used to diagnose?
5. Can I drive home after EMG?
6. Why would someone need an EMG?
7. Why was my EMG so painful?
8. Will an EMG show a pinched nerve?
9. What happens if EMG is abnormal?
10. How painful is a EMG nerve conduction study?
11. What are the signs of nerve damage?
12. What does a normal nerve conduction test rule out?

What is the difference between an EMG and a nerve conduction test?

An EMG test looks at the electrical signals your muscles make when they are at rest and when they are being used. A nerve conduction study measures how fast and how well the body's electrical signals travel down your nerves.

What is the difference between electromyography and electromyogram?

EMG stands for electromyography, which is the recording of the electrical activity of muscle tissue and NCV stands for a Nerve Conduction Velocity, which is a measurement of the speed of conduction of an electrical impulse through the nerve.

What does a nerve conduction study show?

Nerve conduction studies show whether the nerves transmit electrical impulses to the muscles or up the sensory nerves at normal speeds (conduction velocities). Sensory nerves allow the brain to respond to pain, touch, temperature and vibration.

What is EMG test used to diagnose?

Electromyography (EMG) measures muscle response or electrical activity in response to a nerve's stimulation of the muscle. The test is used to help detect neuromuscular abnormalities. During the test, one or more small needles (also called electrodes) are inserted through the skin into the muscle.

Can I drive home after EMG?

You will not be able to drive for about 24 hours if you had sedation because you will still be drowsy. You will need a ride home from your procedure, and someone should stay with you for the first day. When should I call my doctor? It is important to keep your follow-up appointments after an EMG test.

Why would someone need an EMG?

EMG results are often necessary to help diagnose or rule out a number of conditions such as: Muscle disorders, such as muscular dystrophy or polymyositis. Diseases affecting the connection between the nerve and the muscle, such as myasthenia gravis.

Why was my EMG so painful?

Pain is commonly associated with EMG, because the procedure involves the use of needles and electric shock. Not only friends and relatives who have had a previous EMG experience, but also physicians can sometimes discourage patients from undergoing EMG, believing that the test is very painful and of little benefit (1).

Will an EMG show a pinched nerve?

EMG and NCS are tests that measure the electrical activity of the muscles and nerves of the body, usually to an arm or a leg. The tests can help identify nerve injury or muscle disease such as carpal tunnel syndrome, a pinched spinal nerve, peripheral neuropathy, myositis, or ALS.

What happens if EMG is abnormal?

An abnormal EMG result means there is a problem in an area of muscle activity—turning on and off, when it is active, how much it is active, if it is more or less active, and fatigue. This can offer a clue in diagnosing various nerve and muscle conditions. Learn more in 10 Conditions Diagnosed With an EMG.

How painful is a EMG nerve conduction study?

Pain is the most common complication of EMG² causing some level of discomfort in all patients either from the nerve conduction portion or the needle examination. Most surveys find pain more common in the needle portion. The study is typically well tolerated but for some patients it is nearly unbearable.

What are the signs of nerve damage?

The signs of nerve damage

• Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet.
• Feeling like you're wearing a tight glove or sock.
• Muscle weakness, especially in your arms or legs.
• Regularly dropping objects that you're holding.
• Sharp pains in your hands, arms, legs, or feet.
• A buzzing sensation that feels like a mild electrical shock.

What does a normal nerve conduction test rule out?

NCV tests can measure the speed and strength of nerve signals. Nerve conduction velocity between 50 to 60 meters per second is considered normal. A damaged nerve may send a slower and weaker signal than a healthy one. It is possible to have normal results even if a person has nerve damage.