
Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2016. In: Bradley's Neurology in Clinical Practice.

Clinical trialsĮxplore Mayo Clinic studies of tests and procedures to help prevent, detect, treat or manage conditions. Your primary care doctor, or the doctor who ordered the EMG, will discuss the report with you at a follow-up appointment. The neurologist will interpret the results of your exam and prepare a report. If it persists, contact your primary care doctor.

This bruising should fade within several days. You may experience some temporary, minor bruising where the needle electrode was inserted into your muscle. If you're concerned about discomfort or pain at any time during the exam, you may want to talk to the neurologist about taking a short break. Depending on what muscles and nerves the neurologist is examining, he or she may ask you to change positions during the exam. He or she will give you instructions on resting and contracting a muscle at appropriate times. The needle electrode may cause discomfort or pain that usually ends shortly after the needle is removed.ĭuring the needle EMG, the neurologist will assess whether there is any spontaneous electrical activity when the muscle is at rest - activity that isn't present in healthy muscle tissue - and the degree of activity when you slightly contract the muscle. When the study is underway, the surface electrodes will at times transmit a tiny electrical current that you may feel as a twinge or spasm. Or the neurologist may insert needle electrodes at different sites depending on your symptoms. To prepare for the study, the neurologist or a technician places surface electrodes at various locations on your skin depending on where you're experiencing symptoms. You'll likely be asked to change into a hospital gown for the procedure and lie down on an examination table.

There's a small risk of bleeding, infection and nerve injury where a needle electrode is inserted. EMG is a low-risk procedure, and complications are rare.
