In this week's episode of the Spine & Nerve podcast, Dr. Nicolas Karvelas and Dr. Brian Joves are introducing electrodiagnostic evaluations.

An electrodiagnostic evaluation is a combination of nerve conduction studies and electromyography, or in simple terms a way to look at the health of nerves. The nerve conduction study uses electrodes and an electrical impulse to send a signal through a nerve and pick it up at a different point along that nerve. Electromyography is a small needle (usually 28g) that goes into muscles and listens to the way the muscle and nerves communicate.

This study is performed by mainly two specialties- neurologists and physiatrists. It is considered by many to be an extension of they physical examination, and part of the normal workup for pathologies just like imaging (MR or XR) is.

Electrodiagnostic evaluations can help assess many pathologies, but the must common are things like carpal tunnel syndrome, peripheral neuropathy, and radiculopathy (nerve root injury originating at they level of the spine). These studies are also integral in the evaluation of more rare processes like muscular dystrophy, ALS, and other neuromuscular diseases; but the docs stick to the more common pathologies in this discussion.

Listen in for some key takeaways including:

- the study is uncomfortable, but overall well tolerated

- Generally, In less than an hour we can have some very useful and objective data

- This tool is a very helpful and useful part of a full workup for the patient

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This podcast is for information and educational purposes only, it is not meant to be medical advice. If anything discussed may pertain to you, please seek council with your healthcare provider. The views expressed are those of the individuals expressing them, they may not represent the views of Spine & Nerve.