How is a Nerve Conduction Test Performed?
A Nerve conduction test is performed in a medical office with an EMG/NCS machine. Nerves conduct just like an electrical wire, so the test is performed in a manner similar to that an electrician would use when testing a wire. A probe is placed over a nerve, and an electrical impulse is delivered in gradually increasing intensity until the desired response is obtained on the computer screen. The maximal stimulation is enough to make the muscle jump. While many patients find it “neat” to watch their muscle jump involuntarily, most consider it a “strange” feeling. Only occasionally do patients consider it painful. The probe leaves no permanent marks, and does not cause any bleeding. Sometimes the stimulation will cause tingling that will last for more than a few minutes. Rarely does it last longer than that. Most nerves are tested in several places, and several characteristics of the nerve are measured and recorded. In a typical study, several nerves are tested, and several aspects of eac
