Baylor Medicine’s Neurology EMG Lab is committed to providing the highest quality peripheral nervous system diagnostic services. Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCS) are diagnostic procedures that assess the function of the peripheral nervous system, including nerves, neuromuscular junctions, and muscles. Experienced specialized physicians and technicians work together at Baylor Medicine’s Neurology EMG Lab to provide technically proficient and accurate testing. The valuable information provided by EMG/NCS testing is used to help diagnose a wide range of neurological conditions.
Please call (713) 798-5983 to make an appointment.
Referrals are needed for EMG/NCS testing. Please fax referrals to (713) 798-8827.
Services
- Electromyography (EMG)
- Nerve conduction studies (NCS)
- Repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS)
- Neuromuscular ultrasound
Conditions Evaluated
Some examples of symptoms and conditions evaluated:
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Weakness
- Muscle atrophy
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Neuropathy
- Motor neuron disease
- Myasthenia gravis
- Radiculopathy
- Myopathy
How to prepare for testing
- Please bathe or shower prior to testing to remove oils and skin care products.
- Do not apply products such as lotions, creams, or oils to your skin prior to testing.
- If possible, dress comfortably in clothing that allows easy access to the entire surface area of the arms and legs.
What to expect
- The patient is usually lying down on an examination table during testing.
- The patient may be asked to change into a gown.
- During nerve conduction studies, nerves are stimulated with an electrical current through the skin (no needle) and responses are recorded from the nerve or a muscle with recording electrodes that are touching the skin (again, no needle).
- The electrical stimulation is safe and does not cause injury to the body.
- During needle EMG, a thin needle (recording electrode) is inserted into a muscle without stimulating with an electrical current in order to record the body’s natural electrical activity in the muscle.
- Usually, several muscles are examined during needle EMG testing, but only one muscle is examined at a time.
- No sedatives or anesthesia are needed for testing.
- Patients can return to normal activities after testing.