emg normal but still have numbness
Policy. Most of them stay in the same spot but I get new ones and they move around. Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere. NCS is usually done before EMG if both procedures are done in the same session. I refused because I had seen too much from others that had the surgery. Blood tests all You need need to try some massage work to see if that does anything. Thanks for your insight into your surgery and recovery. Post Edited By Moderator (opnwhl4) : 8/6/2013 9:19:30 PM (GMT-6). The test usually takes 60 to 90 minutes. Electrodes in the needles detect electrical activity in the muscle and display the results on an oscilloscope, a monitor that shows electrical activity in the form of waves. Coming to a Cleveland Clinic location?Hillcrest Cancer Center check-in changesCole Eye entrance closingVisitation and COVID-19 information, Notice of Intelligent Business Solutions data eventLearn more. Incision very painful until a short while ago. I also had carpel tunnel release done at the same time. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Creeping up on5 months post -op, every day I'm hoping for less pain, numbness and discomfort. Surgery for ulnar nerve compression becomes an option if your numbness or weakness persists despite bracing or rest. Symptoms Squeezing the pinkie(gently) will feel like the nerves are raw in the pinkie. Apparently I'm a big baby. Can it be caused by aging? Depending on your results, your doctor will talk to you about any additional tests or treatments that might be needed. New slurred speech or hoarseness of voice. Electromyography (EMG) is a test that measures and graphs the electrical activity in your muscles as they move. MOst spouses dont and wont undestand. Could my doctor give me a hard cast for wrist tendonitis. Theyll repeat the same process in the next muscle until the test is concluded. Hello Von Awesome & welcome to the forum. Keep reading to learn the answer. Best of luck. To understand how an EMG test works, it helps to understand how your muscles work. It may also be a little more uncomfortable. After the nerve conduction study, your doctor will perform the needle EMG. Lets hope the pain is a good sign, that its a sign of the nerve regenereating and enervating the surrounding tissues. Massive swelling of elbow, and then the pain started a few days afterward as well as numbness in pinkie. I'm hoping for some advise from those how have had a ulnar transposition and how they have coped , how fast they recovered ect.. Sandur, sorry you are having continued pain after your surgery. I go tomorrow to speak to the doctor so well aee what he thinks. Sometimes, problems with the electrical activity in your nerves can cause pain, tingling, or weakness in your muscles. Don't forget your neck and shoulder as well , a good exam may narrow down these sites and recheck othe. Fasciculations may mimic normal or abnormal motor unit potentials (MUPs) as seen in on-going reinnervation. now the area over the incision is only painful sometimes but mostly it is very itchy and it will feel very irritated. Can anyone help me, is this all on my head Make sure to tell your doctor if the swelling or pain becomes worse. In most cases, theyll test several different nerves. The provider then analyzes these readings to look for signs of issues. You can expect to receive the results of the test typically within 24 to 48 hours after the testing is completed. It was burning, I'm squealing and asking for a general anestetic for the injection. A computer will translate these signals into graphs or numerical values that can be interpreted by your doctor. But the pain! The needle is attached through a cable to a computer that allows the provider to see what your muscle is doing both at rest and with movement. I know your probably saying no you wouldn't but considering everything else. Stay off pain killers since they will only mask the pain and you will not have feedback to know if you are getting better, and please be safer in the future by protecting your feet, eyes, head etc. Your doctor may order an EMG if you have signs or symptoms that may indicate a nerve or muscle disorder. Everything You Need to Know About Nerve Damage After Surgery Long-term numbness or a tingling feeling in the legs and feet may be due to conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS), diabetes, peripheral artery disease, or fibromyalgia. The EMG test is a diagnostic tool that helps a neurologist detect neuromuscular abnormalities. Like you said, EMG and NCS rarely pick up damage unless it is major like a severed nerve. The doctor examines only the muscles necessary to decide what is wrong. What??? However, if you have chronically swollen fingers with other symptoms, A shoulder arthrogram is an imaging test that can help diagnose hard-to-see joint issues. Its one form of electrodiagnostic testing. EMG and NCS are helpful in diagnosing: NCS can also help your doctor see how well youre recovering from a nerve injury. Still I wake with pins and needles every morning. This may involve testing sensation, strength and reflexes. Nerve root injury, such as sciatica. The doctor may test several nerves. What do my electromyography results mean? i ask if its just the nerves mis-signalling, shrugs, I ask if its nerve damage- just shrugs, I ask if he thinks its permenant- tells me to ask him that at the end of the year. I Have Neuropathy So Why Are My Tests Normal? I have also noticed my elbow now makes a clicking noise. Do not wear tight shoes but protect the area from further trauma. Your doctor may ask you to move into different positions during the procedure. (These signals originate in your brain, travel down your spinal cord, through your motor nerves and to your muscles.) Clinic Fax: (517) 432-3713 That includes neurologists, who are doctors who specialize in the brain and nervous system. Typing on the computer causes increase in numbness between wrist and pinkie. Before the Test. Medical training helps the doctor decide which tests to perform based on your problems. Surgeon vetoed any further tests, he pinioned that maybe doing a release in the wrist may help, but is recluctant to do it as its a 50/50 chance (and Im probably not willing to try it without prove that it is compressed in the wrist). A normal emg and : Nerve conduction does not mean that there is no nerve irritation but that it is just not severe enough to register on that test at that time. During an EMG test, small needles are inserted into the muscle through the skin. And of course I take trazodone for sleep. swelling over the new site of the ulnar was present for about 8 weeks, and then it gradually receded. Some of the tests that the EMG doctor may use are nerve conduction studies (NCSs) and/or needle EMG. Starting to feel hopeless and that these symptoms will always be here. I m worried that thepinkie numbness is permanent now and its is not going to resolve its self. Electromyogram (EMG) Test & Nerve Conduction Study Sleeping at night the feeling of the sheets just touching the elbow area is like sandpaper is being rubbed against my elbow. Please note, we cannot prescribe controlled substances, diet pills, antipsychotics, or other abusable medications. Nerve conduction study: The technician puts electrode patches on your skin over the nerve that may be causing your symptoms. Off the Cymbalta, man that was a devil drug. Keep reading to learn about the different types, what you can expect, and how you can find relief. Typical order of nerve trauma from least to worse is: general pain, burning, tingling, numbness and then nerve death. There will also be an audio (sound) component to the machine. Hell Elaine & welcome to the chronic pain forum. In rare cases, you may experience tingling, bruising, and swelling at the needle insertion sites. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. EMG nerve conduction studies can only assess large fiber polyneuropathy. Tendinitis Several types of doctors may oversee the procedures. In: Waxman SG, eds. The tibial nerve is found near the ankle. Big hugs to you, and thank you for looking on behalf of your hubby. Find, Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. EMG is most often used when a person has symptoms of weakness, pain, or abnormal sensation. However, it is not a procedure to be dreaded. Kerry Boyle D.Ac., M.S., L.Ac., Dipl. This is a late post considering when the thread started but I too had the ulnar nerve transposition in spring 2011. WebThe EMG test your doctor has recommended studies if your muscles and nerves are working right. had an L5/S1 Discectomy in October 2012 - and still have numbness in my left foot ( pinkie toe and 2 next to it ) as well as left calf "odd feeling". I now feel like a complete fraud but still have a lot of pain in my neck and shoulder and still have numb fingers. Im out of work and not being payed, so I was hoping the emg showed a issue so we can work on fixing it ASAP and not running around chasing problems and causing me to be out of work even longer. But most people can complete the test without issues. Medication? If youre facing this procedure, lets remove some of the apprehension by explaining what happens. Its natural to have soreness or numbness in a muscle once in a while. If you dontlike their answer push to see someone else. I can massage the area of the pinkie and it doesn't go away like if you just have something out of place. Johns Hopkins Medicine: Nerve Conduction Studies., Johns Hopkins Medicine: Electromyography., Mount Sinai Hospital: Nerve Conduction Study.. To learn more, please visit our, can be the culprit for many annoying symptoms especially, , plus many more. Electromyography (EMG). I have started to get a pinch feeling at the base of the pinkie, but there is no anomalies there. Avoid putting cream, lotion or perfume on your skin. Obviously its is better than before the surgery but with the evolving symptoms I worry that the pain in the elbow wasnt so bad and now I've opened a whole new can of worms. Wear comfortable clothing that doesnt obstruct the area that your doctor will be evaluating. Tell the EMG doctor if you are taking aspirin, blood thinners (like Coumadin), have a pacemaker, or have hemophilia. Video chat with a U.S. board-certified doctor 24/7 in a minute. Your doctor may review the results with you right after the procedure. All rights reserved. Aside from that nothing else is better or new. Instead, you can think of the needle as being similar to a microphone its only a recording device. It appears as waves on a screen. See a sports therapist. Some people (especially people who take blood thinner medications) may bleed after the test. Numbness is the most annoying and troubling problem caused after surgery. Policy, Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Sorry for the long ramble. EMG and NCS are done in a hospital or office setting. NCSs show how the bodys electrical signals are traveling to a nerve. Peripheral Neuropathy: Evaluation and Differential Risks and Contraindications. Tell the healthcare provider whos performing the EMG if youre taking a blood thinner medication (. The second part of the EMG procedure, known as needle EMG, also uses sensors to evaluate electrical signals. On the advise of the pain docotr on July 22 I started wearing a epicondylis (sp) brace (the tennis elbow strap). Then a treatment plan will be drawn up. If you have numbness and tingling in the hand does it come from your neck? Tests for Brain, Spinal Cord and Nerve Disorders. It has been 5.5 months since my surgery was preformed and I am not a happy camper. This entire situation frustrates me very much and it is impacting my life greatly. When I make a fist or flex the hand back and forth or rotate 180 or 360degrees I get a pulling feel in the arm. The provider doesnt deliver electrical stimulation through the needle. Hopefully your hubby has a doctor more concerned about the cause then just saying dont know!!!!! This is normal and generally lasts 1-2 days. Bone scan in Feb 2012- normal. New clumsiness or tremor (shaking) of the arms or I hit the ulnarjust behind the point of the elbow. But in general, you can expect the following during an EMG test: You may feel some pain or discomfort when your provider inserts the needle into your skin and muscles. The neurologist who oversaw either or both procedures will review the results and write a summary for your doctor. Good luck. It's then checked for changesthat could be a sign of certain types of peripheral neuropathy. Electrodiagnostic Tests. I have brought up all these issues with all my drs but they are all telling me that hey wont know until Aug 2013 or Dec 2013 if the issues with the pinkie will be permanent. Its natural to have soreness or numbness in a muscle once in a while. Takedown request | View complete answer on hopkinsmedicine.org. You may have some soreness for a day or two where the needles were inserted during EMG. After the first surgery I had a lot of pain and the doctor basically said oh well go somewhere else lol. If anyone has any suggested for meds/whatever that help with the pins and needles or the fatigued/achy feeling in the forearm and hand- I'm all ears. Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them. Neurologists usually perform an EMG test right after a nerve conduction study. The toes are extremely delicated and can take months to years to fully heal. little finger numb? Ulnar Nerve Compression He/she may give you instructions to relax or contract certain muscles, not only to measure the electrical activity, but also to help minimize the pain. We use cookies and other tools to enhance your experience on our website and Your doctor can use the results of these tests to figure out whether you have a muscular problem or a nerve problem. Muscular dystrophy, an inherited disease that seriously Neither NCS or EMG will solve your muscle or nerve problems, but they will give doctors key information about how to help you start feeling better soon. A trained assistant, a technologist, under a doctors supervision can do nerve conduction studies (NCSs). After the swelling went down and it was still painful to walk I had an X-ray and the doctor said nothings broke but maybe sore for a few months. See additional information. For many people, though, a sore wrist is caused by an injured nerve, not an injured muscle. Some doctors may refer to electromyography as an electrodiagnostic exam. Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Motor problems, such as involuntary muscle twitching, Muscle degeneration, such as muscular dystrophy, Neuromuscular diseases, such as myasthenia gravis, Nerve compression or injury, such as carpal tunnel syndrome. Doctors typically provide answers within 24 hours. WebAn EMG measures the response of muscles to electrical activity and how much electrical activity a muscle contraction produces. Numbness in pinkie finger returned day after surgery. SPS affects your brain and spinal cord. These electrodes will evaluate how well your motor neurons communicate with your muscles. EMG tests came back normal: Hi. Long story as - Pain Read on to find out. Thanks for the hope Shell74. WebYes, I get terrible pain after the EMG.I think it just over stimulates my muscles and causes the spasms to go in over drive.I usually have the legs and paraspinals done (ouch). Yes I understand that nerves take time to heal, but as there has been no significant improvement in the numbness In the pinkie area I am starting to get very concerned and worried. The American Association of Electrodiagnostic Medicines policy is that an appropriately trained doctor should do all needle EMG (electromyography) testing. Clinically this refers to visible twitching of the muscle and are seen in the EMG needle examination as fasciculation potentials. I have sore and downright painful spots all over my body. 10 Conditions EMG Test Can Diagnose: Nerve & Muscle Problems All I know is that pain has got to go. The EMG test your doctor has recommended studies if your muscles and nerves are working right. These stimuli cause a quick, mild tingling feeling. WebDiagnosis. Michigan State University You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Keep pushing the docotors. We avoid using tertiary references. HE looks at me like I'm cookoo when I'm tell in him that its like when you get out of the pool. The sensors are called needle electrodes, and theyre directly inserted into muscle tissue to evaluate muscle activity when at rest and when contracted. You will be asked to relax and to contract (or flex) your muscles. The EMG doctor examines you to decide what tests to do. WebWhile electromyography can be uncomfortable, the data received from the test can be very useful to the doctor in helping you find a long-term solution to the pain or condition that Getting periods of numbness and cold spot numbness in ulnar side of wrist. Had surgery Feb 2013. Sleeping at night the feeling of the sheets just touching the elbow area is like sandpaper is being rubbed against my elbow. Incision very painful until a short while ago. Bathe or take a shower to remove any oils from the skin. Many people need a hospital stay to watch for breathing problems, heart issues, choking and other complications. Normal mri w progressive symptoms I still have some weakness in my right hand lower arm area like holding a weight I get very shaky. I injuried my ulnar nerve in May 2011. While electromyography can be uncomfortable, the data received from the test can be very useful to the doctorin helping you find along-term solution to the painor condition that predicated the test.For more information on Electromyography (EMG) and how they are performed, call Polaris Spine & Neurosurgery Center today at (404) 256-2633. Take a bath or shower to remove oil from your skin. Normal EMG but numbness and burning? - Pain Concern EMG test: Purpose, preparation, procedure, and results That dayof my surgery I had a horrendous Charlie Horse pain in arm. \it hasn't really made any difference yet. I have heat, cold and burning sensations in different areas. The pinkie is very sensitive and I will get a huge increase in the sensation. There are no lasting side effects from the tests. Hi Elaine, just I'm still hanging around. Use heat and ice as appropriate (this will help), and salt soaks but follow the advice of a medical practicioner. If youre able to have an EMG, you should do the following beforehand: You will be asked to lie down on an examination table or to sit in a reclined chair. It teaches doctors the things that can go wrong with the human body and how to tell the difference between these things. I did manage to get some post surgical physio for 5 weeks and it started 2 weeks ago. Electromyogram (EMG) and Nerve Conduction Study During the EMG test, patients are typically asked to contract the muscle being tested, for example, by lifting or bending the arm. now I have numbness in my foot and a burning sensation on the side. Electromyography (EMG) is a diagnostic procedure that evaluates the health condition of muscles and the nerve cells that control them. However, you may feel sore in the area that was tested. A machine will measure and display the electrical activity of your working muscle. A provider will locate the muscle(s) they want to test. WebAn EMG test is typically used to evaluate conditions and disorders that include: Motor problems, such as involuntary muscle twitching. Still can't lay in bed and read as the position makes the numbness worse. They transmit electrical signals that cause muscles to contract and relax. Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal that can cause radiating pain by compressing spinal nerve roots. If you have a spinal fracture, treatment depends on the type and severity of the break, as well as whether other structures are involved. Back to EMG While a healthy muscle shows electrical activity during contraction and not during rest, a damaged muscle or a muscle that has lost input from nerves may show electrical activity during rest, or abnormal electrical patterns during contraction.