An electromyogram (EMG) measures the electrical activity of muscles at rest and during contraction. Nerve conduction studies measure how well and how fast the nerves can send electrical signals.
Nerves control the muscles in the body with electrical signals called impulses. These impulses make the muscles react in specific ways. Nerve and muscle problems cause the muscles to react in abnormal ways.
If you have leg pain or numbness, you may have these tests to find out how much your nerves are being affected. These tests check how well your spinal nerves and the nerves in your arms and legs are working.
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING AN EMG PROCEDURE AT OUR CHICAGO AREA PODIATRY OFFICE
An EMG can be performed at any of our Weil Foot & Ankle Institute podiatry offices in or around the Chicago area. Our EMG technologists or expert Chicago podiatrists will conduct the test in a room designed to block outside electrical interference.
You will be required to either lie down on a table or bed or sit in a reclining chair in an effort to relax your muscles. Next, the skin around the testing area will be cleaned, and an electrode that’s attached to a recording machine will be placed on the skin.
Once the electrodes are in place, the electrical activity in your relaxed muscle is recorded by the machine. The next step is to record the electrical activity in the contracted muscle, so your technologist will then ask you to slowly tighten the muscle. In order to get a complete reading of your muscle, the electrode may need to be moved several times.
A video monitor is used to show the electrical activity in the muscle and usually appears as wavy or spiked lines. You may also be able to hear the activity on the machine as you contract and release your muscles.
The EMG test usually takes 30 to 60 minutes.
Over 200,000 Happy Feet Have Found Relief At Weil Foot & Ankle Institute
Please call our Chicago area podiatry office at (847) 390-7666 if you have any additional questions about EMGs or nerve conduction tests. We will be happy to provide you with all the information that you may need. With 16 Chicago area podiatry offices, there is sure to be a podiatry office near you!
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