Nerve test for cervical herniated discs....? - Hernia Message Board

rootsy13 · 11-26-2008, 07:58 AM

Hey all,

So I was told by my orthopedist yesterday that if I am not feeling better by January, he wants to do a Electromyography . He mentioned needles being put along my arm and this just freaks me out! Has anybody had this done? What was it like?? Thanks.

BobM · 11-26-2008, 09:55 PM

What are the symptoms/condition you are experiencing that you need to have the EMG?

I've had this test twice - it's a fairly common test for people with problems in their C-spine causing nerve impingement. The purpose of the test is to evaluate the condition of the various nerves, and to help determine which nerve branches are involved - the nerve branches trace back to the level in the C Spine where they branch out of the spinal cord.

Depending on your symptoms, they may also check for nerve impingement in the wrist or the elbow.

To be honest - the test is not much fun, but you can definitely get through it. There are a lot of needles 'sticks', starting in the hand and working up the arm and shoulder, as the Dr explores and looks for problems at different places and levels. The needles are really 'probes' hooked up to electronic sensing equipment, and they are measuring the electrical activity in the nerve bundles.

The good news is that the needles are very fine, so it's not as bad as getting a flu shot or having an IV started. However, there are many places they measure and so there is pain and discomfort involved. My tests were different durations - one took 90 minutes, and the other about 20.

If you need the test to help diagnose your condition you certainly should have it done - and tho' it's uncomfortable you can get through it ok.

Bob

rootsy13 · 11-27-2008, 10:11 PM

Hi Bob,

Thanks so much for the reply..Well long story short, I have 2 herniated cervical discs. I won't go into the other parts of my diagnosis, since this is the most significant. My symptoms are as follows:

*Pain in my neck
*Pain in my left shoulder blade
*Pain in my left arm that radiates down to my fingers.
*I also have occasional tingling and numbness in my left arm/left hand.
*Minimal flexibility in my neck.

I was in an accident 6 years ago which has caused a lot of degeneration in my discs. I was in another accident a month ago which was basically a catalyst to an array of problems. I have only had 5 physical therapy sessions so far, but my symptoms are not improving in the slightest. In fact on a scale of 1-10, my pain (at worst) is about an 8. I will continue P.T. as advised.

I was told that this test would be the first step into taking a more "aggressive aproach". Second step would be a cortisone epidural. Third step (which my doctor wants to avoid since I'm only 33), would be surgery. From what I hear, the cortisone shot helps with the pain, but I am just concerned that it is a temporary fix that does not fix the problem. Any input??

Fiona_Jo_324 · 11-27-2008, 11:53 PM

I have had an EMG twice. Once for my lumbar spine issues and once for my cervical spine issues. While, I admit the test isn't the most pleasant, it's not the worse thing I've experienced either - it only lasts about 45 minutes (at least it did for me) and since your laying down you don't see the Doctor putting the pins in. Actually sometimes I didn't even feel the pins and it really does go pretty quick. It really will your Spine Specialist additional information that will help in forming your treatment plan.

Wishing you the best of luck with your EMG!

~ Fiona Jo ~

rootsy13 · 11-28-2008, 07:42 PM

Tnx Fiona