Jacksonville Nerve Conduction Study (EMG)
A nerve conduction study used to determine the nerve conduction velocity (NCV) as an electrical impulse is measured down the course of a nerve. This can help your doctor detect signs of nerve damage due to an injury or disease. Typically, a series of surface patches, similar to those used for an electrocardiogram, are placed on the surface of the skin at various points along a particular nerve. The most upstream electrode is used to transmit an impulse and the nerve conduction velocity (or speed of transmission) is measured as it travels.
Since nerves transmit signals at a known speed and amplitude, a nerve disease or nerve injury that alters these impulses can be detected by using NCS. Depending upon your symptoms, electrodes may be placed along the arms, legs or both. You will likely feel an impulse that is similar to a mild electrical shock. Based on the severity and location of your complaint, the doctor can increase or reduce the strength of the electrical signal or stimulus. This may be uncomfortable for some patients but you should feel no pain once the nerve conduction study is finished.
Symptoms that may prompt your family doctor to order an nerve conduction study might include numbness, tingling or burning sensations along a peripheral section of your body. The nerve conduction velocity test can also detect a variety of nerve disorders, such as peripheral neuropathy or mononeuritis multiplex, or conditions where your nerves are impacted by a compression injury, such as carpal tunnel syndrome. Since lower body temperatures can slow your nerve's impulses, a normal body temperature must be maintained during the nerve conduction velocity testing. Your doctor may also recommend other neurologic exams such as an electromyogram (EMG) to detect or exclude certain muscle conditions as a contributing cause of your symptoms.
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