Don’t do nerve conduction studies without also doing a needle EMG for testing for radiculopathy, a pinched nerve in the neck or back.

Rationale and Comments

For diagnosis of a pinched nerve in the neck or back, nerve conduction studies alone cannot make the diagnosis. Needle EMG is necessary to identify and characterize the disease process.

Sponsoring Organizations

American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine

Sources

Expert consensus

Disciplines

Neurologic

References

Dillingham TR, Lauder TD, Andary M, Kumar S, Pezzin LE, Stephens RT, Shannon S. Identifying lumbrosacral radiculopathies: an optimal electromyographic screen. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2000;79(6):496-503.
Dillingham TR, Lauder TD, Andary M, Kumar S, Pezzin LE, Stephens RT, Shannon S. Identification of cervical radiculopathies: optimizing the electromyographic screen. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2001;80(2):84-91.