Electromyography

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Electromyography (ee-lek-troh-meye-OG-rah-fee) is a test that is also called an electromyogram (ee-lek-troh-MEYE-oh-gram) or EMG. It measures electrical activity of the muscles at rest and when they are used. It also tests the electrical activity of the nerves that control muscles. During your EMG, caregivers may also do a nerve conduction study (NCS). This test measures how fast the nerves send impulses to the muscles (messages telling the muscles to move). EMG and NCS may be part of a group of tests called an electrodiagnostic (ee-lek-troh-deye-ag-NOS-tik) exam.
  
  
• An EMG is used to test how well your muscles and nerves are working. It may be used to help caregivers learn if you have a muscle and nerve problem or disease. An EMG may help caregivers learn about the kind of problem you have and where it is located. Your caregivers may use EMG and other test results to help diagnose and plan treatment for your health problem.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Medicines:

• Keep a current list of your medicines: Include the amounts, and when, how, and why you take them. Take the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency. Throw away old medicine lists. Use vitamins, herbs, or food supplements only as directed.
  
  
• Take your medicine as directed: Call your primary healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not working as expected. Tell him about any medicine allergies, and if you want to quit taking or change your medicine.
  
  
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine: This family of medicine is also called NSAIDs. NSAIDs may help decrease inflammation (in-flah-MAY-shun) (redness and swelling) or soreness caused by the EMG needles. This medicine can be bought with or without a doctor's prescription. This medicine can cause stomach bleeding or kidney problems in certain people. Read the label warnings, and follow dosage directions carefully.

Ask for information about where and when to go for follow-up visits:

For continuing care, treatments, or home services, ask for more information.

What should I do after the EMG?

• Apply warm compresses to sore areas. You may have some soreness in your muscles after the test. Applying warm compresses to the muscles may help decrease your pain. To make a warm compress, dip a clean washcloth in warm water. Wring out the extra water and put it on your sore areas for 15 to 20 minutes, three to four times each day.
  
  
• Ask about your medicines. If you were told to stop taking some of your medicines before the EMG, talk to your caregiver. Ask the caregiver when you should begin taking these medicines again after the EMG.
  
  
• Ask your regular caregiver about the EMG results. Your EMG caregiver may give you a small amount of information on the day of your EMG. Your regular caregiver will receive an EMG report in a few days and will talk to you about them.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• The problem for which you had the test has gotten worse.
  
  
• You have a fever.
  
  
• You have questions about the test or any other concerns.
  
  
• The skin where the needles were inserted is swollen and tender, painful or has pus in it. You may have a skin infection (in-FEK-shun).

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Electromyography (Discharge Care)