Electromyography is a physiological test to assess function of the motor unit, including anterior horn cell, its axon, the neuromuscular junction and the supplied muscle fiber.  It is often used to diagnose radiculopathy- acute or chronic, spinal stenosis and muscle denervation.  It is often said that MRI shows the anatomy and EMG shows the function.  It is usually performed after 30 days post-injury.

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Appropriate conditions for EMG include:

-disc herniation, spinal stenosis

-cervical pain with radiculopathy

-low back pain with radiculopathy

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Nerve conduction study is a physiological test to assess function of peripheral nerve, motor or sensory.  It can determine loss of fibers within the neuron and/or demyelination, as well a loss of function, such as a nerve block or neurolysis.  It is usually performed after 21 days post injury.

Appropriate conditions for NCV include:

upper limb entrapment syndromes:

-Carpal tunnel syndrome, anterior interosseous syndrome, pronator syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome,

-Guyon’s tunnel entrapment, and radial nerve injury.

-Lower limb entrapments syndromes

-Peroneal entrapment at proximal fibula, tarsal tunnel syndrome, piriformis syndrome, meralgia paresthetica