Rationale and Comments

Utilization of electromyogram studies for diagnosis of low back pain without leg pain is not supported. Electromyogram studies have good specificity for the detection of lumbosacral radiculopathy in sciatica patients when appropriate electrodiagnostic criteria are used.

Sponsoring Organizations

• American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Sources

• Expert consensus

Disciplines

• Neurologic
• Orthopedic

References

• Tong HC. Specificity of needle electromyography for lumbar radiculopathy in 55- to 79-yr-old subjects with low back pain and sciatica without stenosis. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2011 Mar;90(3):233–8.