“EMG/NCS Test Question”
I recently had an EMG/NCS to check for ulnar nerve compression/entrapment. I've had symptoms (numbness/tingling in pinky and ring finger, aches in the elbow and forearm) constantly for the last 6 months or so, with some days worse than others. On the day of my test, I had no symptoms. Everything felt normal. The test results didn't show any issues and were normal.
My question is this: If I had no symptoms at the time of the test, would that impact the test results? It seems logical and plausible, but I haven't found anything that says one way or the other.
Since the test, I've had really mild numbness except for about a 15 minute span where half of my hand was completely numb and tingling like crazy. I've also had to be super cautious in how I rest my arm on my desk because it seems easier than ever to bump the funny bone.
My question is this: If I had no symptoms at the time of the test, would that impact the test results? It seems logical and plausible, but I haven't found anything that says one way or the other.
Since the test, I've had really mild numbness except for about a 15 minute span where half of my hand was completely numb and tingling like crazy. I've also had to be super cautious in how I rest my arm on my desk because it seems easier than ever to bump the funny bone.
Male | 46 years old
Complaint duration: 6 months
Medications: n/a
Conditions: n/a
3 Answers
Ulnar nerve findings on an NCS are usually late findings. If you are symptomatic, you need to be treated. You should see a hand specialist and get evaluated.
Unfortunately EMG/NCV is not always a great test for ulnar neuropathy and the test can often be normal. That’s one reason the diagnosis of cubital tunnel syndrome is a clinical diagnosis not a electrical diagnosis usually.
Furthermore, the test is very operator dependent and many neurologists cannot make the diagnosis even when the patient has significant ulnar nerve compression.
Furthermore, the test is very operator dependent and many neurologists cannot make the diagnosis even when the patient has significant ulnar nerve compression.
No, the fact that you didn't have symptoms at the time of the exam would not have effected study results. The study tests for nerve compression and nerve irritation as a result and if nerve compression exists the study will be positive whether or not you have symptoms at that point in time. However, EMG/NCV is a study which is operator dependent which means that getting an accurate result and diagnoses does depend on how good the person performing the study is.
