EMG is a diagnostic procedure that neurologists use to assess your muscles and motor neurons. The procedure results can reveal any form of dysfunction in your nerves muscles and signal transmission problems from the nerve to the muscle. Your specialist may recommend EMG in Germantown to help diagnose or rule out different conditions, including herniated disk in the spine, muscular dystrophy, and disorders affecting the nerve and muscle connection. Here is how to prepare for an EMG.
How do I prepare for EMG?
Before the diagnosis, you will discuss with your doctor to learn about electromyography, including what the procedure entails. Here is also when your specialist reviews your medical history to check for any conditions such as hemophilia. Your specialist gives you a chance to raise any concerns you may have about the procedure. Inform your neurologist if you have a pacemaker or any other electrical medical device.
It is also essential to notify your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications since some may cause undesirable side effects such as bleeding. On the day of treatment, you may need to take a bath or shower to remove all oils, lotion, and makeup.
What happens during an electromyography procedure?
First, you change to a hospital gown for your neurologist to access your body with ease. You will then lie on an exam table, and your specialist cleanses your skin’s surface before placing surface electrodes or inserting needle electrodes at different sites. The surface electrodes transmit a tiny electrical current that feels like a spasm as the study progresses.
You may feel some pain or discomfort from the needle electrodes, but this is temporary and ends shortly after removal. EMG allows your specialist to assess activity within your muscles.
Depending on the muscles being examined, you may need to change positions or rest and contract the muscles during an exam. If the pain becomes intolerable, talk to your neurologist about taking a short break. Expect some pain and minor bruising at the injection site, but this should fade within several days. Inform your healthcare provider if the bruising persists.
What are the risks of EMG?
EMG causes minimal side effects, such as bruising at the injection site. Rarely does the procedure cause severe risks. However, it poses a slight chance of bleeding, nerve injury, and infection. Sometimes the examination area also determines your risk. For example, the neurologist examines your chest muscles; there is a small risk of your lung collapsing if air leaks between your lungs and chest wall.
When would I need EMG?
Your doctor may recommend electromyography if you have signs and symptoms that indicate a muscle disorder. For example, patients with severe back pain and other symptoms such as numbness, tingling sensation, and muscle weakness may need an EMG. Usually, such symptoms indicate nerve problems resulting from herniated discs or spinal stenosis.
An EMG also allows your specialist to rule out other medical conditions, establishing the exact cause of your symptoms.
If you have further questions about EMG, consult with your neurologist today at Sleep Services of Maryland LLC.
