EMG Exam - UCSF
After my initial consultation with Dr. Poncelet, she reviewed the notes from my previous EMG (which I usually refer to as "electrocution"). The EMG is really two tests and is often referred to as EMG/NCS.
EMG - Electromyogram - This is used to record the electrical activity of the muscles. It involves the insertion of needles into the muscles and then sending an electric pulse through the needle and measuring muscle response. It's quite similar to getting punched in the leg. My neurologist in Oakland did not feel this was necessary. Perhaps he was worried I would punch him back :).
NCS - Nerve Conduction Studies - This is a more standard electrocution - wire you up, shock you, and measure how the electrical impulses travel along the nerve. The two key areas tested are magnitude and latency (speed). In essence, you don't want the signal to degrade as it travels along the nerve. My original neurologist had done this, but he noted some slowness which he attributed to my cold feet. Dr. Poncelet had a different idea - let's warm up my feet and do it right.
So, more electrocutions for me. Bottom line - everything looks normal, which just adds to the mystery. We did find a crossed nerve in my arm - but that was just an interesting side note. (Sure, I got a few extra shocks to demonstrate it for the resident who was in training, but that was all).