Archive for December, 2010

The EMG test is to collect the electrical activity of muscles. The contraction of a muscle due to unloading electrical nerve that controls it. If the nerve is concerned, its performance suffers and characteristics vary of transmitting electrical impulses. In addition, variations in these impulses are different in function the nerve is sick or just compressed and are also different depending on the degree of compression.

What Enables

The EMG is used to assess the state of the nerves that control the musculature to detect very precisely the degree compression or suffering from nerves.
Risk:

Formerly, the electromyogram was a painful ordeal. Although technological progress has been achieved is now virtually painless when performed by a physician expert, is often an uncomfortable examination. Therefore, use is recommended only when clearly needed to establish diagnosis or when its outcome will determine the choice of treatment.
Directions:

The AHCPR recommended the use of EMG in patients with pain lasting more 3 or 4 weeks and is considered necessary to determine if the nerves are affected in a manner so mild that can not be demonstrated by physical examination.

Although neither AHCPR, the CSAG nor RCGP mention it explicitly, you can make sense prescribe an EMG test in the following cases:
1. Patients With Various Diseases.

For example, a poorly controlled diabetic patient and long evolution, in which their nerves are affected (diabetic neuropathy) and also have a herniated disk in apparent root compression nervous. Physical examination can detect that the nerve root is not working properly but the EMG test Discrimination may also be attributable to diabetes and what a herniated disc.
2. Patients With Stenosis Cord.

In these patients, bone deformation is compressing and slowly progressive nerve structures. If the condition nerve progresses, surgery may be needed. But the operation is aggressive and patients are often elderly, so that before to operate, make sure that it is really necessary. In these cases, the EMG can be used to assess the severity of damage and, when repeated after 3 months, to determine if the stenosis is progressing or not.
3. Medico-Legal Field.

In cases where it is necessary to demonstrate objectively that there affected nerves. It is very difficult to prove pain, because the patient could simulate, but an alteration in the EMG demonstrates objectively that there is some damage neurological. In this sense it is important to note not always occur in reverse, the fact that the EMG is entirely normal rule that there are no back pain limitations.