Brief Answer:
Needle examinations obtain unique information

Detailed Answer:
Good morning XXXX

I'm glad that I was able to supply the information you were asking about with respect to the EMG study.

Unfortunately, there are no other tests available that can acquire the same information or even similar to what a needle exam is designed to do. I'm guessing that your doctor is testing you because you've forwarded complaints of either a nature of muscle weakness/spasms, sensory alterations such as numbness, tingling, or other strange sensations, or pain such as in a sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, or similar condition.

I will say that for carpal tunnel syndrome some authors and researchers in EMG will say that making the diagnosis in that case can be done just as effectively by way of straight nerve conduction studies without the use of the needle examination. Also, some authors believe that Ultrasound studies of the carpal tunnel are as sensitive and specific in making the diagnosis as doing the NCS studies which would be better yet since in that case you completely eliminate any type of pain or invasiveness (i.e. both shocks as well as needles).

However, in my opinion and experience the 'ole needle exam still rides head and shoulders above everything else due to the fact that with that procedure one can obtain information on things such as exact strength of signal response by the muscle/nerve in question, exact localization of a potential area of weakness or dysfunction of the nerve, as well as inferences as to the pathology of the region being tested due to the shape of the waveform, and the sounds that are made when stimulating the muscle.

Makes sense does it not?....The doctor has direct access to the muscle and the nerve in question by using the needle and therefore, can have direct knowledge and information about how things are behaving that no non-invasive test can accomplish.

I have known people to be given some mild sedation to do such studies but honestly that is to the discretion of each examiner. Most examiners would probably decline any form of sedation because it can ultimately alter results if the patient's level of sedation somehow reduces their ability to recruit muscle contractions on command and then, one is left to guess whether it was the sedation or lack of actual muscle/nerve response that gave the result.

I hope this information is helpful and that once again you will do me the favor of some written feedback and/or your generous STAR RATINGS if I've answered the question to your satisfaction.

Should you have no further questions or comments to place- CLOSING THE QUERY would as well be greatly appreciated and as always I'm happy to answer more questions if you'd allow me this privilege by going to the following website and sending them in:

bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi

This query has required 38 minutes of physician specific review, research, and final draft documentation for envoy.

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