The presence of an imaging lesion in addition to EMG evidence of altered nerve function may suggest significant nerve root compromise.Īn EMG test is done on an outpatient basis in a clinic or a hospital. Nerve root impingement or compression that causes purely sensory symptoms, such as pain, are not quantified by EMG.Īn EMG referral is typically considered when the symptoms and signs of radiculopathy need to be correlated with the results of imaging tests. When EMG May Be Useful for Back or Neck PainĮMG is generally useful when motor deficits, such as muscle weakness, are present in radiculopathy. It can also help determine if weakness is due to a degenerative muscular disorder, such as spinal muscular atrophy, among others. Radiculopathy and degenerative spine disease. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics of North America. In back and neck pain conditions, EMG may be used to analyze the severity of radiculopathy, muscle weakness caused by spinal nerve compression, and the number of spinal nerves involved.ġ Sandoval AEG. The procedure typically involves inserting a fine needle into the target muscle to capture the electrical signals, which are displayed on a screen in the form of waves and may also be heard through an audio amplifier. The electrical activity is analyzed while the muscle is at rest, slightly contracted, and fully contracted. Electromyography is a minimally invasive diagnostic study that measures electrical activity produced in a muscle in response to stimulation by a nerve.

Emg test for sciatica