Your doctor will first clean the affected area with an antiseptic. Once the test is complete, the electrodes are removed from the skin.Īfter the nerve conduction study, your doctor will perform the needle EMG. These electrodes will evaluate how well your motor neurons communicate with your muscles. During this portion of the procedure, your doctor will apply several electrodes to the surface of your skin, usually in the area where you’re experiencing symptoms.
The nerve conduction study is performed first. The sensors are called needle electrodes, and they’re directly inserted into muscle tissue to evaluate muscle activity when at rest and when contracted. The second part of the EMG procedure, known as needle EMG, also uses sensors to evaluate electrical signals. It involves placing small sensors called surface electrodes on the skin to assess the ability of the motor neurons to send electrical signals. The nerve conduction study is the first part of the procedure. There are two components to an EMG test: the nerve conduction study and needle EMG. Your doctor may ask you to move into different positions during the procedure.
You will be asked to lie down on an examination table or to sit in a reclined chair.
