Interventional Pain Procedures
Electrodiagnostic Testing
Electrodiagnostic medicine studies diseases of the nerves and muscles. The EMG your physician has recommended is a test that studies if your muscles and nerves are working right. You can have problems with your muscles and nerves in only one part of your body or throughout your body. Your physician examines you to decide what tests to do. The results of the tests will help your physician decide what is wrong with you and how it can be treated. Many pain-related conditions are caused by damage or malfunctioning of the nerves or nerve endings and your physician.
Who does the testing?
Dr. Sapna Rathi is a neurologist who specializes in pain management. Dr. Rathi is specially trained to do needle EMGs.
Why am I being sent for tests?
You are being sent for an EMG because you have numbness, tingling, pain, weakness, and/or muscle cramping. Your physician may also be trying to rule out certain medical conditions. Tests that are done by Dr. Rathi are Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS) and needle EMGs.
Nerve Conduction Studies
NCSs show how the body’s electrical signals are traveling to a nerve. This is done by applying small electrical shocks to the nerve and recording how the nerve works. These shocks cause a quick, mild tingling feeling. Several nerves may be tested.
Needle EMG (Electromyography)
For this part of the exam, a small, thin needle is inserted into several muscles to see if there are any problems. Disposable needles are used for each patient. There may be a small amount of pain when the needle is put in. Dr. Rathi examines only the muscles necessary to decide what is wrong. She will look at and listen to the electrical signals that travel from the needle to the EMG machine. Dr. Rathi then reads these signals.
How long will these tests take?
The tests usually take 90-120 minutes. You can do any of your normal activities, like eating, driving and exercising, before the tests. You also can do your normal activities after the tests. There are no lasting side effects.
How should I prepare for the tests?
Tell Dr. Rathi if you are taking aspirin, blood thinners like Coumadin, have a pacemaker, or have hemophilia. Take a bath in order to remove oil on your skin. Do not use body lotion on the day of the test.
When will I know the test results?
Dr. Rathi will send your test results to your referring doctor. After the exam, check with the physician who sent you to Dr. Rathi for the next step in your care.