What is a Nerve Conduction Study?

Nerve conduction testing is a simple, painless and non-invasive test that allows the physician to measure the health of the specific nerves with the use of surface electrodes. These studies assess the speed (conduction velocity/latency), size (amplitude) and shape of the electrical responses elicited from the targeted nerve and the muscles stimulated by that nerve.

The procedure involves delivering a small electrical pulse at one point on a nerve and measuring the response at another point.

The nerves are stimulated at various locations depending on the symptoms. Results are available immediately to the physician so they can prescribe a treatment plan quickly. The tests are usually completed in about 45 minutes. It is a painless test to the patient and requires almost no preparation.

Nerve conduction studies are the gold standard for diagnosing Neuropathies.

What are Neuropathies?

Neuropathy describes a condition in which a person suffers from peripheral nerve damage often associated with an underlying disease. Though not a disease itself, neuropathy is diagnosed in many people for whom no pre-existing cause can be determined. While less than 3% of the general population is affected, eventually 60% of diabetics will develop some degree of nerve damage.

Neuropathy describes a condition in which a person suffers from peripheral nerve damage often associated with an underlying disease. Though not a disease itself, neuropathy is diagnosed in many people for whom no pre-existing cause can be determined. While less than 3% of the general population is affected, eventually 60% of diabetics will develop some degree of nerve damage.

Who Should Get Tested?

Nerve conduction studies allow physicians to effectively and accurately diagnose neuropathies. Diagnose patients presenting with:

• Low back and leg pain
• Hand and wrist pain
• Diabetes

Low Back or Leg Pain

Do your patients have…

• Pain in their lower back, buttocks, thighs, lower legs or feet?
• Shooting pain or burning down their leg?
• Numbness or tingling in their legs or feet?
• Weakness in their legs or feet?

Low back or leg pain (often referred to as Sciatica) are extremely common conditions affecting millions of people. The pain can be mild to excruciating.

These symptoms may be caused by strains, sprains, arthritic conditions or they may be caused by pinching or irritation of the nerves that travels from the spine to the legs.

 

Hand and Wrist Pain: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is also frequently diagnosed in patients with diabetes.

Do your patients have…

• Frequent tingling or numbness in the palm and fingers?
• Numbness or tingling in the fingers or hands that gets worse during the day?
• Symptoms that wake them at night?
• Decreased grip strength, difficulty forming a fist or performing tasks with their hands?

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is caused by pressure on the median nerve as it travels through the wrist. The result may be pain, weakness, or numbness in the hand and wrist, and may move up the arm. Although these symptoms may indicate other conditions, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is often the cause.

Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Do your patients have…

• Pain or burning in their feet?
• Numbness or tingling in their feet or hands?
• A pins and needles feeling in their feet?
• Increased sensitivity to touch?
• Weakness in their feet, legs or hands?
• Trouble feeling their feet when they walk?

 

About 60-70% of the people with Diabetes have nervous system damage. Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) is a common, chronic and disabling complication of diabetes. Some patients experience symptoms such as burning, tingling, or numbness. Many other patients do not show any obvious symptoms.