Electrodiagnostic Testing and Consultation
Forest Park Hospital's Neurophysiology Laboratory provides patients and their physicians with electrodiagnostic medicine consultation using nerve conduction studies and electromyograms (EMGs). The lab also performs electroencephalograms (EEGs).
What is Electrodiagnostic Medicine?
An extension of the physical exam, electrodiagnostic testing is used to evaluate nerve and muscle function. It can be helpful in determining the causes of numbness, tingling, pain, weakness, fatigue and muscle cramping experienced by patients in their arms, legs, neck or lower back. The testing has two parts:
Nerve Conduction Studies
Nerve conduction studies evaluate how well electrical signals travel along a nerve. Electrical pulses are delivered to a nerve in a patient's arm or leg, and a recording of the response is made at another site along the nerve, usually in the hand or foot. Knowing how quickly the pulse travels down the nerve helps determine if there is some disorder slowing down the response.
The small electric pulses administered cause a mild tingling feeling, similar to the shock received from touching a doorknob after walking across the carpeting.
Electromyograms
Electromyograms can help determine if there are abnormalities in the muscles or the nerves going to them. A pin is placed in the muscle of the arm, leg or along the side of the spine. The muscle's electrical activity feeds into a recording instrument, which allows a physician to analyze the activity by listening to the sounds it makes and by watching a signal on a scope.
Patients experience some discomfort when the pin is placed in the muscle.
What Happens After the Testing?
Using the results from the nerve conduction study and EMG, an electrodiagnostic medicine consultant – a physician with specialized training in electrodiagnostic medicine procedures – assists referring physicians in deciding upon a patient's diagnosis and treatment. Causes for patients' discomfort can range from carpal tunnel syndrome and pinched nerves to peripheral neuropathy resulting from diabetes. Treatments may include patients wearing wrist splints, undergoing physical and/or occupational therapy, taking medications or having surgery.
Who Should Have Electrodiagnostic Testing?
Candidates for electrodiagnostic testing may be patients experiencing:
- Limb, neck or low back pain
- Shooting pain from the neck or back into the arm or leg.
- Numbness, tingling or weakness in an arm or leg.
How Should Patients Prepare Themselves for Testing?
There are no restrictions in regard to diet prior to testing, but patients should:
- Remove all jewelry from their hands or feet.
- Avoid using lotions or creams on the limb being studied.
- Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing.
Testing usually takes between 20 and 60 minutes.
The Advantages of Coming to Forest Park Hospital: Expertise and Responsiveness
The Neurophysiology Laboratory at Forest Park Hospital is directed by Laurence J. Kinsella, MD, FACP, a board-certified neurologist trained in internal medicine neurology and neuromuscular diseases. Dr. Kinsella trained at St. John's Mercy Medical Center in St. Louis, Brown University in Rhode Island, and Columbia University in New York. He has a special interest in clinical neurophysiology, neuromuscular disease and general neurology. Dr. Kinsella is an associate professor of neurology at Saint Louis University School of Medicine.
How to Reach the Neurophysiology Laboratory
The lab is located on the third floor of Forest Park Hospital. For more information, call 314-768-3333. |