Many nerve problems are arising in human beings due to the unhealthy lifestyle that we follow without any exercise in our bodies. The nerve disorders can be detected using two tests as EMG and the other is nerve conduction studies. These two studies will help to find any damage in the nerve and muscles. So, that doctors can treat the patient better with the help of diagnosis.
EMG vs Nerve Conduction Studies
The main difference between EMG and Nerve Conduction Studies is that EMG is used for measuring the electric signals that the muscles in our body make when they are at rest. Nerve conduction study is used for finding the nerve and muscle disorder and also for finding how fast the electric signals in our body travel down the nerves.
Emg is a nerve test that is usually performed by a neurologist. A technologist will also do some portions of the test. You should be relaxed and should not sleep while taking an EMG test. There won’t be any discomfort after taking the test and you can do all the normal activities. Taking an EMG test will not affect your heart rate or blood pressure. Patients with epilepsy have a small risk of getting seizures after taking the EMG test.
A nerve conduction study is conducted to find the damage in the nerve and muscle. A person can drive after a nerve conduction test but if they had sedation, then they cannot drive up to 24 hours because they will still feel drowsy. Some of the common side effects of nerve conduction tests are the person may have bleeding at the place where the needle was inserted and they might get an infection because of the needle.
Comparison Table Between EMG and Nerve Conduction Studies
| Parameters of Comparison | EMG | Nerve Conduction Studies |
| Definition | This test looks at the electric signals your muscles make in your body when they are at rest | This test is for finding how fast the electric signals travel down the nerves |
| Duration | 30 to 60 minutes | 20 to 30 minutes |
| Advantages | Used for identifying muscles related disorders | It will give a better understanding of your nerve health |
| Disadvantages | It has no standard electrode placement | Sometimes the patient can get an infection |
| Evolution | 1942 | A small development in 1745 led to this study |
What is EMG?
Emg is called Electromyography. It is a procedure used for assessing the muscle and nerve cells. It helps in identifying nerve and muscle dysfunction, and problems related to nerve to muscle signal transmission. An EMG test can be done within 30 to 60 minutes. The time duration will depend on the number of nerves and muscles that your doctor has advised you to take. A doctor will ask you to take EMG if you have symptoms related to a muscular or neurological condition.
The symptoms include numbness or unexplained weakness in the limbs. If you feel a buzzing sensation that is like an electrical shock, then you should check with the doctor. Before you take an EMG test, you should bathe well and remove oil or creams from your body. You should avoid smoking for at least 3 hours before the test. Wear comfortable and loose cloth. Try to wear shorts or sleeveless cloth so that they can take the test easily.
If the EMG result is abnormal, then you might have nerve dysfunction, muscle disorders, and muscle injury. While taking the EMG test, you might feel slight discomfort. But it will not cause any pain. It can be easily tolerated without any need for painkillers or medicine. You might get some infection after taking the EMG test if you are not comfortable with needles. So, you should speak with the doctor before taking the test and clarify all your doubts.
What is Nerve Conduction Studies?
It is used to diagnose muscle and nerve disorders. This test can be conducted within 20 to 30 minutes. In some cases, the doctor may ask to test the nerve at multiple locations, for that it may take some extra minutes. During the test, the patient might feel slightly uncomfortable, but it will not be painful. It will measure the strength and speed of nerve signals.
If the nerve is damaged, it will send a slow and weaker signal. Sometimes, the result will be positive even if the person has some nerve issues. In that case, the doctor might ask the patient to cross-check it again and make him a test at multiple locations. When a person gets nerve damage, it will be harder for him to control the muscles. It will also cause weakness in your body. You will be tired to even make a small move and your legs will get buckled.
The reasons why a doctor suggests a patient conduct a nerve conduction study is stiffness, spasticity, tingling, weakness, numbness, and pain around the body. The test can detect conditions including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and myasthenia gravis. If you have any feeling of wearing a tight glove or find numbness in the skin, then it’s time to visit a doctor to check whether you have any symptoms related to nerve disorders or not.
Main Differences Between EMG and Nerve Conduction Studies
- An EMG is a procedure used for assessing the muscle and nerve cells. On the other hand, nerve conduction studies are used for finding nerve and muscle disorders.
- The duration of an EMG will range from 30 to 60 minutes. On the other hand, the duration of nerve conduction studies will range from 20 to 30 minutes.
- An EMG is useful for identifying muscle-related disorders. On the other hand, nerve conduction studies will give a better understanding of your nerve health.
- The downside of EMG is it has no standard electrode placement. On the other hand, in never conduction studies, the patient might develop an infection in the test conducted areas.
- EMG test was first developed in 1942. On the other hand, a small development in 1745 led to nerve conduction studies.
Conclusion
Both these tests are used for finding nerve and muscle disorders. If a person has any issues related to nerve damage or feeling numbness in some areas, then they should visit a doctor and consult them immediately for issues related to nerves. The doctor will ask them to take the test based on getting inputs from the patient.
These tests are simple and will not cause any pain in the human body. But it will create some slight discomfort while taking the test. If patients have any allergy to needles then they might get some infection and bleeding in the area where they have conducted the test. These tests are usually conducted by neurologists and technical people who operate the machine.
References
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/mus.10544
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/mus.880161220