Electrodiagnostic Medicine

Electrodiagnostic Medicine is a subspecialty focusing on diagnosis of neuromuscular diseases (nerve and muscle diseases). These conditions include carpal tunnel syndrome, nerve complications, radiculopathy, polyneuropathy, and less common muscular diseases.

For more information about Electrodiagnostic Medicine use this link: American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine

The physicians, who are board certified in Electrodiagnostic Medicine, have passed a rigorous peer review exam and are highly qualified in their specialty. These physicians perform several types of tests to study nerve and muscle diseases including electromyography (EMG), nerve conduction studies (NCV), and Somatosensory Evoked Potentials (SSEP).

 

Frequently Asked Questions about Electrodiagnostic Medicine

Q: What is Electromyography (EMG)?
A: Electromyography is one of the procedures used to study nerve and muscle function. It can be helpful in evaluating the causes of numbness, tingling, pain, weakness, fatigue, and muscle cramping.

The physician inserts a small electrode into a muscle to record the electrical activity of the muscle. The electrical activity of the muscle is picked up by the recording instrument and the physician then analyzes it by looking at a signal on the monitor and listening to the sounds the activity makes through the speaker. This test can help determine if there are abnormalities in the muscle or the nerve.

Q: What is Somatosensory Evoked Potentials (SSEP)?
A: SSEP – also referred to as Evoked Potentials is a test to evaluate the function and integrity of nerve pathways that carry signals through the spinal cord, vision pathways, and hearing pathways. Nerve signals are produced in these nerves by applying small electric pulses to the nerves of the legs or arms, by pulses of light to the eyes, or by clicks of sound to the ears. The nerve’s response is picked up from the skin over the surface of the spinal cord or head.

Evoked Potential Studies can also be useful in monitoring the integrity of the central and peripheral nervous system during surgery.

Q: What are Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS)?
A: Also referred to as Nerve Conduction Velocity or NCV, these studies are a type of procedure used to study nerve and muscle function. This kind of study tests how well signals travel along a nerve and can help find the cause of abnormal nerve function. It is used to diagnose nerve disease or injury. Signals are made to travel along the nerve by applying small electric pulses to the nerve at one site and recording the response at a different place along the nerve. The nerve’s pulse is picked up by a recording instrument and then is measured by the physician performing the test. Several nerves may need to be tested depending on the type of problem.