What are EMG and NCV tests?

by Friedman & Ranzenhofer, PC on August 8, 2012

in Buffalo Injury Questions and Answers

When a Buffalo personal injury accident leads to neck or back injury, a medical provider may request that the injured person undergo EMG and NCV testing.  These are tests used to diagnose and treat problems with the nerves and muscles.  They are usually recommended by a doctor when the patient is experiencing pain, numbness, tingling or muscle weakness that appears to be related to nerve damage.

EMG stands for electromyography.  This test is used to measure the electrical activity in your muscles.  Normal muscles will give off a specific electric signal.  If the nerve responsible for that muscle is damaged, it will give off an abnormal electric signal.  The EMG test can detect this abnormality and help predict the location, nature and extent of any nerve damage.

The NCV (nerve conduction velocity) test measures how past an electrical impulse travels along the tested nerve.  Certain nerve diseases or injury may cause nerves to transmit a signal more slowly.  By testing various nerves, the provider again may be able to determine the location, nature and degree of any nerve damage.

If you have suffered a back or neck injury as a result of another’s negligence, we would be happy to help you.  Please call us at 716-542-5444 with any questions.

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