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Is there an alternative to an EMG test?

Posted by yaaqovk @yaaqovk, Mar 5 12:25pm

I'm experiencing numbness and tingling in both hands. I saw an orthopedist who is a hand specialist, and in order for him to tell if the origin is in my hands (i.e. regular carpal tunnel sy drome), or in my neck
In order to tell, he wants me to undergo an EMG test. As EMGs, where there they stick thin needles into you and then send electricity through. Having g once had one, I know it's very painful, and therefore I want to avoid it.

Is there an accurate alternate approach?

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Profile picture for mrmacabre
mrmacabre | @mrmacabre | Mar 5 1:15pm

If there is we would probably know about it wouldn't we? I've had an EMG test performed on me by all 3 neurologists that I saw in a 7 to 8 year time period because they wouldn't accept the results from another doctor. It's not pleasant, but IMO it wasn't that bad either.

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erdocsmom | @erdocsmom | Mar 6 11:09am

I just had one for the same reason. There were only about six or seven needles inserted in one arm. Only one of them was painful. I wouldn't hesitate to have this test again and I've had many NCS/EMGS.

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yaaqovk | @yaaqovk | Mar 9 5:09am
In reply to @mrmacabre "If there is we would probably know about it wouldn't we? I've had an EMG test..." + (show)
Profile picture for mrmacabre @mrmacabre

If there is we would probably know about it wouldn't we? I've had an EMG test performed on me by all 3 neurologists that I saw in a 7 to 8 year time period because they wouldn't accept the results from another doctor. It's not pleasant, but IMO it wasn't that bad either.

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@mrmacabre Thank you, but I did ask about an *alternative* to EMG.

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mrmacabre | @mrmacabre | Mar 9 1:29pm
In reply to @yaaqovk "@mrmacabre Thank you, but I did ask about an *alternative* to EMG." + (show)
Profile picture for yaaqovk @yaaqovk

@mrmacabre Thank you, but I did ask about an *alternative* to EMG.

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@yaaqovk That's my point, if there was an alternative wouldn't they offer it? I've noticed that you haven't gotten very many responses to your question, and I think it's for obvious reasons, the answer is no, there aren't any other tests that they can conduct.

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yaaqovk | @yaaqovk | Mar 9 2:42pm
In reply to @mrmacabre "@yaaqovk That's my point, if there was an alternative wouldn't they offer it? I've noticed that..." + (show)
Profile picture for mrmacabre @mrmacabre

@yaaqovk That's my point, if there was an alternative wouldn't they offer it? I've noticed that you haven't gotten very many responses to your question, and I think it's for obvious reasons, the answer is no, there aren't any other tests that they can conduct.

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@mrmacabre One can still hope. I had an EMG in the past, and would rather not repeat the very painful experience.

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katcollins | @katcollins | Mar 9 8:55pm

If this helps you feel more comfortable, my most recent EMG was less invasive as in the past. I think new machines and techniques have made them more effective. In the past there were over twenty needles used for upper extremity. This last one I had used less needles. The doctor also perform a nerve conduction test that did not use any needles, just small discs that were applied to my skin.

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yaaqovk | @yaaqovk | Mar 9 11:19pm
In reply to @katcollins "If this helps you feel more comfortable, my most recent EMG was less invasive as in..." + (show)
Profile picture for katcollins @katcollins

If this helps you feel more comfortable, my most recent EMG was less invasive as in the past. I think new machines and techniques have made them more effective. In the past there were over twenty needles used for upper extremity. This last one I had used less needles. The doctor also perform a nerve conduction test that did not use any needles, just small discs that were applied to my skin.

Jump to this post

@katcollins Thank you.

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