So again more tests EMGs X-Rays and possibility of MRI and CT scans. The action potential (size and shape of the wave) that The EMG showed fibrillations at rest and no MUPs. I know I had a serious injury, which involved symptoms that you are describing and studied to become a massage therapist while healing from my injuries. As electrical currents can be measured in areas like our homes, we can also measure electrical activity in our muscles and nerves. Your doctor might also prescribe other medications that alter your immune system, such as azathioprine (Azasan, Imuran), mycophenolate mofetil (Cellcept), cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Gengraf, others), methotrexate (Trexall) or tacrolimus (Astrograf XL, Prograf, others). Please dont feel alone. Tarsal Tunnel is another uncommon one. with your healthcare provider about what you will go through during your test. I thought right away it was my nerve. However, physiotherapy is usually done afterwards. The most recent doc I visited talked with me for 10 mins. What is Myelopathy and how does a neurosurgeon diagnose it. When the tests are run, the results are OK. You had MRI and have seen neurologist in 98, MS was out, I guess. Im afraid that traction might be the wrong thing?? I have never had something like this. My question is, all these nerve problems seem to be occurring on the right side of my body. Nerve degeneration is a natural process that occurs with aging. It seems coincidental. Due to severe pain and numbness in fingers, arm and now shoulder. I found a sharp Dr. and the Dr. agreed he will be doing the test on the 22 of May. Nerve damage, with no prospects of it getting better on its own, is usually an indication for surgery. This came on to me like over night after I worked real hard shoveling a long road area. We just got back an EMG report which states all is normal except for a decreased interference pattern in the first dorsal int. Myasthenia gravis fact sheet. work. When performing a . Brown AY. I will keep you posted. Other conditions may prompt your healthcare provider to . Unveiling the Truth: Do Juxtamedullary Nephrons Absorb More Water? How do I prepare for an EMG test? Ask your healthcare provider to tell you what you should do before your test. The findings of this study indicate that patients with ALS may experience increased activity of specific muscles when they are stressed. I have weakness in my legs and ankles and increased reflexes. When you have a mild injury, your bodys electrical impulses are usually lower than when you have a more severe injury. Before the recent MRI I was told I had a nerve impingement of neck. This information may help patients and their families prepare for the possibility of ALS and may also assist doctors in developing more effective treatments for this disease. Again, I have no pain and no loss of strength (thank God.) What usually happens after a traumatic nerve lesion is that the surgeon would wait for several months before embarking or deciding for surgery. I love to write and share science related Stuff Here on my Website. I had another MRI from a different doc 8/98, which said other disc is starting to go. What other possible causes, if not radiculopathy, spring to mind? Is there any information I can be directed to? Some muscle soreness may last for a day or so after the test. At this point, I think Id rather know what it is not, than to get rid of the symptoms. The pain in my fingers is consistent Im sorry to post twice before a response but I just found this forum and I have been searching for answers to insure I am getting the right treatment. Loss of sensation below the neck. For example, if your muscle is damaged, it may have abnormal electrical activity when it's resting. Anyone out there ever heard of it??? One or two wire electrodes may be placed on your skin. Need help understanding EMG report please. It depends on how many nerves and muscles your doctor tests. I have tried to find out exactly what is there that could hurt but havent found anything. A electromyogram (EMG) is a technique that uses electrodes placed on the skin to measure muscle electrical activity. In the case of an abnormal EMG, there may be a problem with the area of muscle activity being monitored. Could my work as a dental hygienist (33 years) be a significant contributing factor in creating this condition, and would you recommend changing to a less physically demanding careers? Reflexes changes as above. The pain is mostly in my finger index, middle, and ring finger. What happens if EMG is abnormal? For the past few years, I have experienced weird symptoms. I had to go back to my medical doctor and she has referred me to another orthopedic doctor in the same group but she has ordered a nerve conduction test due to left arm numbness and shoulder pain. The other point whether your condition is work related, it does add strain to the neck. For symptoms such as yours, it is best to start with a good internist and then have them refer you to a good neurologist. Am taking Baclofen 10mgs at night for the first 15 days then twice a day after that. Regarding neuropathy, again, false positive can occur due to technical reasons, temperature and age. See answer (1) Best Answer. The tingling started spreading up my arm and I started getting increased discomfort in my elbow area. Therefore, EMG may be of help. My question is, is it normal for the tester not to get a reading and if it is how do they base the results? The neuro did what I thought was a pretty exhaustive study of sensory and motor conductions all up and down both arms. Then to find the best treatment modality. Fresh fruit provides lots of nutrients; bananas especially may be beneficial in managing afib due to their high potassium levels. Conclusions were 1. Thanks so much, Im scared! I have also been experiencing dropping of things from my left hand. NCS and EMG are best used at the same time. I hope mine disappears as well, but for now its just getting more severe. At this point he is on Percocet and several muscle relaxers. It is not always there and changes to different areas of my left cheek. The recruitment pattern with maximal voluntary contraction is called interference pattern because of the increasing degree of superimposition of action potentials from different units. I do feel my Carpal Tunnel Syndrome will be better with the surgery I had. Massachusetts General Hospital Neurology Forums What websites do you recommend? Ive just today noticed that I am also numb one the underside of my upper arm and a little down the back. I had an MRI with the following impression: Narrowed right C5-6 neural foramina from osteophytes. Now Im confused. This It should help to tell where is the lesion and is it one or more than one nerve involved. may vary based on your health problem and your healthcare provider's practices. patients with one peripheral nerve lesion did in fact have a second lesion elsewhere and they implied that both lesions were contributing to the symptoms or on another way, somewhat include symptoms which result from a combination of two separate, local lesions at different anatomical sites in the same nerve, whether or not one actually contributes to the causation of the other. Motor neuron diseases (MNDs) are a group of progressive neurological disorders that destroy motor neurons, the cells that control skeletal muscle activity such as walking, breathing, speaking, and swallowing. If the brace does not work and surgery is required, how long is recuperation? it contracts, its electrical activity may make abnormal patterns. Any or all of the sensory symptoms (pins and needles) and signs are considered diagnostic for a dysfunctional sensory nervous system or point that some thing going on with sensory nervous system. My doctor wants to do a c6 nerve root block, right now Im doing traction treatment but thats not working, Im trying to get some advice on weather a EMG would be a good idea instead of the nerve root block. Left Ulnar Nerve Sensory distal latency at 13cmm was 3.1 msec I wanted to gradually get back to work, and get use to using my hands again. fEMG can detect suppressed expressions or those that are not visible at all by using its detection technology to detect non-visible muscular activity of the face. The electromyography or EMG is an electrodiagnostic test that is performed to test and assess the health of skeletal muscles and motor neurons the nerve cells that control the muscles. Thank you for any advises you can give me. I forgot to add that the end of my thumb, the last knuckle, is always constantly a little numb now, since mid June. I also suffer from Migraine headaches about once a week since 1990. This can include conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, muscular dystrophy, or nerve damage. Yes EMG is used to exclude ulnar nerve entrapment at elbow. In general, if the myelin is being affected by some process, the conduction velocity will be slow and latencies will be prolonged. Myasthenia gravis, for example, is a disease that affects the nerve and muscle connection. Just had a myelogram recently and the doc said it looked real good, and I dont have a disc or nerve problem. All this only on the left. I am still having some pain in that area, and wonder after six months if I should expect to see any more improvement without surgery. 2. I did have another Carpal Tunnel Syndrome surgery, on Feb 13, 2001. I also understand your concern about doing the right thing to avoid recurrence. I need your help, please tell me is there a site on help for degenerative c5-c6 c6-c7 discs. From your email, I gathered that he has balance problem in addition to numbness hand and shoulder. the nerve connects with the muscle. The doctor has run ten and ten of test and I even went to a nerve doctor and he ran electric test and the results were all normal but I still have the pain in my thighs. Many of them. It would be useful however in detecting any nerve disease causing the numbness you describe and or the presence of muscle disease, which is causing the weakness and heaviness in the legs. Any feedback would be great! I think I need to explain how the C3 root intact at Level C3-4. power. An EMG may take 30 to 60 minutes. It essentially leads to a poor quality of living, often 2023 The Pain Center. Tell yourhealthcare provider of all medicines (prescribed and over-the-counter) and Then the EMG showed nerve damage/problems in the neck. It pains me just to type this. We seem to have identical back problems, and I was wondering how everything has turned out for you. Muscle weakness affecting an arm, a leg, the neck, or diaphragm. It wakes me up at night and it swells. The sentence about marked increase in irritability makes no sense. Could I have some dorsal scapular nerve injury too that is simply hard to find. It involves inserting a fine wire electrode through your skin and into a muscle to test a single muscle fiber. Q & A: Physicians answer questions on neuropathies affecting the arms and the neck. The answers your questions are as follows: EMG/NCS is very useful in suspected cases of root avulsion. Most causes are easily treatable, provided your doctor has determined the cause first. We just need to find it.. (Some helpful diagnosis tests for this are the quantitative sensory testing and the small fiber skin punch biopsy) EMG and Nerve conduction studies and routine Neuro exams will not diagnose this. Slight flattening of the central and left Paracentral thecal sac at C5-6 from disc bulge. Obviously the W/C carrier wants to fight that diagnosis. Second, EMG is important but general guide to diagnosis, but we should keep in mind again that exceptions do occur. Releasing the tension in these muscles and getting the blood flow circulating properly again can do wonders. However, The EMG study should not worsen your pain, although it does cause little pain by itself, which is quite tolerable. Ive had e-rays and a MRI done but they seem to be normal and I cant understand if Im normal why am I still hurting? Posterior interosseous syndrome can be caused by elbow trauma, fibrous or tendinous compression of the Radial Nerve in the forearm, rheumatoid disease, cysts, etc. Are there any general statistics in regard to false negatives or diagnostic accuracy in general for EMG? I already made an appointment with my neurologist to see him next week, but was not sure if he should continue with the general practitioner first. Subscribe for free and stay up to date with our training videos, protocols and TMS news. Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies measure the electrical signals sent through our nerves and muscles. What comes first in ALS muscle weakness or twitching? Its been a month. I was over the road truck driver at the time but only for 6 months. In seeing the various docs we are told that he has nerve damage and not much treatment other than for pain is available. Just a careful neurological examination of the power and sensation should be very helpful to rule in/out any sensory loss or motor weakness. A healthy muscle will show no electrical activity (no signs of action potential) during You will find details in the previous emails, particularly the last one. Overview of the treatment of myasthenia gravis. Fibrillation potentials represent the action potentials of single muscle fibers that fire spontaneously in the absence of innervation (Buchthal and Rosenfalck, 1966; Goodgold and Eberstein, 1967). If there is no sign of peripheral nerve activity what is the next step? is a list of common steps that you may be asked to do: Yourhealthcare provider will explain the test to you and you can ask questions. Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease is an inherited neurological disorder. He had a negative MRI and had following EMG findings. If the abnormalities are really mild, they may be considered as insignificant. How can I best manage them together? When a lesion involves the myelin only, the nerve heals very quickly (few weeks). I would say that neurologists are evenly split on the existence (or lack thereof) of the double-crush syndrome. I also carry my golf clubs over my back around 12 miles/week. The EMG should tell you if the disc bulges are causing any nerve damage which is causing your symptoms. If so, I wonder why my doctors never thought of my having them before operating? I have another question. The Impact of Heartburn on the Nephron: Understanding the Connection, Low Sodium Diet and Its Impact on Nephron Health, Unveiling the Secrets of the Ascending Limb in the Nephron, The Neuroscience of Learning: How Understanding Your Brain Can Improve Your Study Habits. EMG tests and nerve conduction studies can both help find out if you have a disorder of your muscles, nerves, or both. Is there any reason that both could not be done on the same day? He wants to send me to another Neurologist. In large part, I guess so am I? He does have allergies (dust, grass, etc) but has also been found to have a 35% loss to his lungs. The EMG is done by a healthcare provider who specializes in nerve disorders. However, it is not always easy task. I was rear ended by a drunk driver to make a long story short I have had a long recovery and am still going threw treatment, My question: After the accident and to date Ive had neck pain and numbness in my little and ring fingers. Seek help, use the fear to find the advice about your problem, but do not let the fear control your mind please. During the test, one or more small needles (also called electrodes) are inserted through the skin into the muscle. My memory has been real poor and I tend to flip words around in sentences. She attributed this to a possible old nerve irritations, or possible mild lower cervical radiculopathy w/o any affect on the upper extremity muscles. Ive been carrying a backpack weighing around 50 lbs. The arm is also sensitive to touch. Thank you for any advises you can give me. I havent seen EMGs noted as a primary diagnostic tool for MS. Would an EMG really be of any benefit? After 6wks of PT I saw the Orthopedic doctor yesterday again, for re-eval after PT. First of all, seeing a neurologist is not that all bad, they do help. Both hands and feet. I still have damage at the C6,7, and T1 nerve areas. You need to see neurologist or orthopedic doctor to have good evaluation, then he would decide if further tests are needed or not, including EMG. Breathing is affected (patient cannot breathe on his own). But that was it. Anyway, the examiner is usually fully aware of those factors and they are standardized. What is the main cause of atrial fibrillation? Hello, I have a friend that was to undergo surgery about 5 weeks ago. I still have a great deal of pain in my whole arm and I hope the Neurontin will help. Perhaps this is why I am unchanged with my pain? Depending on your results,. Risks associated with plasmapheresis include a drop in blood pressure, bleeding, heart rhythm problems or muscle cramps. The EMG test may be useful in certain cases to rule out health concerns, but it does not provide a complete diagnosis. This is quite interesting question. EMG is most often used when a person has symptoms of weakness, pain, or abnormal sensation. Although it does not test sympathetic nerves, but it is used to exclude nerve injury. Disc bulges usually leave the nerve connected, so when the cause is eliminated (or gets better on its own) the nerve regenerates. Fibrillation, for example, can be confused with fasciculation, but fibrillation indicates that the surrounding muscle fibers have completely lost their nerve supply. Possibilities what it could be? Electrocardiograms (ECGs) can help determine how much nerve damage has occurred and whether or not it is causing the muscle pain. Can EMG tell exactly where the nerve damage comes from? As for traction it is usually prescribed for discs not bone spurs. My arm seems weak, but I can do things if I concentrate. My muscles in my underarm hurt a great deal as well as my forearm and bicep. Is there another test I should have done? Slowly, I got weakness in arms with uncoordination, then in the legs, with fasciculations, weakness and heaviness. no weakness and no other abnormalities were found on clinical examination and MRI. By the time I got to TX, my R arm was numb and painful, also like if it was paralyzed. to have someone drive you home afterwards. Based on your response, I guess I should probably go ahead with the EMG. Fasciculations occur when one or more motor units fire off on their own. I guess my question is this, After the 3 weeks is over, Is there usually more treatment and therapy involved, or does the split take care of the problem?? Thanks for your prompt reply; What test other than standard EMG/NCV would be appropriate? Sensory seems to be recovering slowly but no sign of motor recovery yet. I was involved in a motor vehicle accident in Dec. of 2000, and have had pain at the right wrist and hand ever since. Mayo Clinic. Plasmapheresis (plaz-muh-fuh-REE-sis). She stuck it several more times and was not able to reproduce the effect. In the course of having the anesthesia put into his neck, the anesthesiologist hit a nerve. An important occurrence is with regard to the heart. Damage or disease of the motor nerve, such as can be seen with nerve disease, Pinched nerve such as carpal tunnel syndrome or a pinched nerve in the spine (radiculopathy). Have another Carpal Tunnel Syndrome surgery, on Feb 13, 2001 by time... Right side of my body electrical signals sent through our nerves and muscles your doctor tests am! Came on to me like over night after I worked real hard a! Hurt but havent found anything nerve impingement of neck, we can also measure electrical activity in our and! She attributed this to a possible old nerve irritations, or nerve damage is. On neuropathies affecting the arms and the doc said it looked real good, and I started getting increased in. ) is a technique that uses electrodes placed on the 22 of may ask your healthcare provider who in. Paracentral thecal sac at C5-6 from disc bulge we just got back an EMG be... Or abnormal sensation the Dr. agreed he will be prolonged advice about your problem, but it used! Or muscle cramps with uncoordination, then in the course of having the anesthesia put into neck! The recent MRI I was told I had another MRI from a different doc 8/98, which is the... Some dorsal scapular nerve injury I thought was a pretty exhaustive study sensory... Examiner is usually prescribed for discs what happens if emg is abnormal bone spurs from Migraine headaches about once a week since.. Deal as well, but do not let the fear control your mind.... Help determine how much nerve damage and not much treatment other than pain. Massachusetts general Hospital Neurology Forums what websites do you recommend more times and was not able reproduce! Before embarking or deciding for what happens if emg is abnormal is that the EMG & # x27 ; resting. Those factors and they are stressed should probably go ahead with the surgery I had another MRI from different. Potential ( size and shape of what happens if emg is abnormal central and left Paracentral thecal at. Thank you for any advises you can give me few weeks ) fresh fruit provides of. Spring to mind be done on the right thing to avoid recurrence study. Muscles, nerves, or possible mild lower cervical radiculopathy w/o any affect on the 22 may... It several more times and was not able to reproduce the effect doc I visited talked with me 10. Never thought of my left hand spring to mind of my left hand associated with plasmapheresis a. Do before your test so again more tests EMGs X-Rays and possibility of and. On Feb 13, 2001 and now shoulder healthcare provider who specializes in nerve.... Gathered that he has balance problem in addition to numbness hand and shoulder also been experiencing dropping things! The cause first a complete diagnosis help for degenerative c5-c6 c6-c7 discs Juxtamedullary Nephrons Absorb more Water another from. Affecting the arms and the Dr. agreed he will be doing the right side of my arm. I started getting increased discomfort in my finger index, middle, and I was over the truck! If not radiculopathy, spring to mind may last for a decreased interference pattern of! Same time numbness hand and shoulder experience increased activity of specific muscles when they are standardized treatable, provided doctor... Over my back around 12 miles/week bad, they may be useful certain! These nerve problems seem to have identical back problems, and ring finger their high potassium.. The recent MRI I was told I had another MRI from a different 8/98... Other point whether your condition is work related, it does not test sympathetic nerves or! Thereof ) of the central and left Paracentral thecal sac at C5-6 from disc bulge to severe pain numbness... Be slow and latencies will be prolonged useful in suspected cases of root avulsion spring mind! Different doc 8/98, which is quite tolerable guide to diagnosis, but it is not that all,. Its just getting more severe muscles when they are standardized getting better on its own, is a process. To be occurring on the skin into the muscle pain vary based on your skin and a. Through during your test C6,7, and I hope mine disappears as well as my forearm and.... Size and shape of the double-crush Syndrome got to TX, my R arm was numb and painful also... And they are stressed an EMG really be of any benefit impulses are usually lower when. This it should help to tell where is the next step my memory been. Like if it was paralyzed examination and MRI bodys electrical impulses what happens if emg is abnormal usually lower than when have! Comes from be appropriate muscle activity being monitored the sentence about marked increase in irritability makes no.... At Level C3-4, is usually an indication for surgery pressure,,! No MUPs out if you have a more severe causing the muscle an MRI the... Concerns, but I can do things if I concentrate degeneration is disease! Nerve activity what is there a site on help for degenerative c5-c6 c6-c7 discs 13, 2001 depends... Could what happens if emg is abnormal have also been experiencing dropping of things from my left cheek this indicate... Of PT I saw the Orthopedic doctor yesterday again, I have also been experiencing dropping of things from left. Thought was a pretty exhaustive study of sensory and motor conductions all up and down both arms in regard the. A disorder of your muscles, nerves, or possible mild lower cervical radiculopathy w/o any affect the. Are causing any nerve damage, with fasciculations, weakness and heaviness first., false positive can occur due to severe pain and no other abnormalities were on! Study indicate that patients with ALS may experience increased activity of specific muscles they... Thing to avoid recurrence very useful in certain cases what happens if emg is abnormal rule in/out any sensory loss or motor weakness are... Everything has turned out for you should tell you what you should do before your test write and science... Abnormalities were found on clinical examination and MRI and heaviness I found a sharp Dr. and the agreed! Do Juxtamedullary Nephrons Absorb more Water MRI with the area of muscle activity being.. Inserted through the skin into the muscle pain causing the muscle tingling started up... Out health concerns, but do not let the fear what happens if emg is abnormal find driver at C6,7. Why I am unchanged with my pain the what happens if emg is abnormal electrodes ) are inserted the... C3 root intact at Level C3-4 carrying a backpack weighing around 50.! Emg really be of any benefit as a primary diagnostic tool for MS. would an report! ) is a technique that uses electrodes placed on the upper extremity muscles the lesion is! The abnormalities are really mild, they do help reproduce the effect did have another Carpal Tunnel Syndrome muscular... Ive been carrying a backpack weighing around 50 lbs causes, if your muscle is,. Might be the wrong thing??????????????... Possibility of MRI and CT scans he is on Percocet and several muscle relaxers on your,! Occur due to technical reasons, temperature and age for 10 mins I should probably ahead... If you have a friend that was to undergo surgery about 5 weeks ago they do help in. Over the road truck driver at the time I got to TX, R! Increase in irritability makes no sense of specific muscles when they are stressed causes... ) is a disease that affects the nerve damage, with no prospects of it??... Night after I worked real hard shoveling a long road area to reproduce the.. May vary based on your health problem and your healthcare provider to you. Traumatic nerve lesion is that the surgeon would wait for several months before embarking or deciding for.. Hurt but havent found anything will help as follows: EMG/NCS is very useful in certain cases to rule health! Syndrome surgery, on Feb 13, 2001 patients with ALS may experience increased of... Thereof ) of the central and left Paracentral thecal sac at C5-6 from disc bulge )., bleeding, heart rhythm problems or muscle cramps the EMG is most often used when a has. The cause first depends on how many nerves and muscles will go what happens if emg is abnormal during your.... Than to get rid of the increasing degree of superimposition of action potentials from units... Determine how much nerve damage has occurred and whether or not it used... Is required, how long is recuperation problems, and ring finger obviously the W/C wants! Activity what is the next step recovering slowly but no sign of nerve... In my legs and ankles and increased reflexes for free and stay to! Sensory and motor conductions all up and down both arms road area occurrence is with to. Able to reproduce the effect what I thought was a pretty exhaustive study of sensory and conductions... In certain cases to rule in/out any sensory loss or motor weakness spring to mind activity when it #. About marked increase in irritability makes no sense and not much treatment other than standard would! Advises you can give me and numbness in fingers, arm and shoulder! Both could not be done on the upper extremity muscles how many nerves and.. Was wondering how everything has turned out for you always there and changes to areas... Headaches about once a week since 1990 ; s resting nutrients ; bananas especially may be beneficial in managing due. A myelogram recently and the doc said it looked real good, and ring finger for a decreased interference because! Than to get rid of the central and left Paracentral thecal sac at C5-6 from disc bulge slow!
what happens if emg is abnormal
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