ABC Medical Center > Procedures > Electromyography

What is electromyography?

4 May 2021

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It is a diagnostic study whose technique allows analyzing the neurons that are responsible for sending electrical signals to the muscles to perform movements, as well as detecting possible muscle conditions that cause lack of strength, decreased mobility, or loss of muscle mass. With it, it is possible to identify the presence of nervous system diseases that hinder the sending of signals to the muscles.

Muscles contract by receiving electrical impulses from movement neurons, known as motor neurons. And what electromyography does is record and represent these signals graphically, sonically, and numerically. 

This test can be performed with needle or surface electrodes, being able to measure the electrical signals’ intensity and their response in a given muscle. 

If you experience any of these symptoms see your doctor, it will probably order an electromyography: 

  • Weakness, numbness, and tingling in the muscles.
  • Cramps and moderate to severe pain.
  • Sore limbs and movement difficulties.

This test is regularly done to confirm the diagnosis of conditions such as: 

  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
  • Poliomyelitis.
  • Herniated discs. 
  • Polymyositis and dystrophy. 
  • Pathologies that hinder communication between the nervous and muscular systems. 
  • Peripheral neuropathies.
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome.

Potential risks

There are practically no risks in this procedure, but some infections and hemorrhages can rarely occur or sometimes the analyzed nerve can be damaged when placing the needle electrodes. 

At the Neurophysiology Clinic we are prepared to offer you the most advanced neurophysiological tests to diagnose the various pathologies that affect your nervous system, which represent a quantitative, reproducible, and generally non-invasive measure that enriches the neurological examination, providing an interaction platform and support in the diagnosis and treatment of neurologically affected patients.

The tests we perform include all the tools of a comprehensive neurophysiology service:

  • Electroencephalogram.
  • Electromyography.
  • Evoked potentials.
  • Outpatient polysomnography.
  • Hospital polysomnography.
  • Transcranial doppler.
  • Neuro-otology tests.
  • Otoacoustic emissions.
  • Intraoperative monitoring.
  • Magnetic stimulation.

Related centers and departments:

Fuentes: 

  • radiologyinfo.org
  • cun.es
  • mayoclinic.org
  • medlineplus.gov
  • msdmanuals.com
  • medigraphic.com
  • Carrillo RJA, Balderas TE, Villagrán RA, et al. Electromiografía en pacientes con trastornos temporomandibulares. Rev Mex Cir Bucal Maxilofac. 2020;16(2-3):87-90. doi:10.35366/97705. 
  • Pinto LRA, Coronel MFS, Bueno PFL, et al. Reconocimiento de tres patrones básicos de movimiento de la mano utilizando electromiografía de superficie y algoritmos inteligentes. Rev Cubana Invest Bioméd. 2020;39(2):1-14.
  • Medrano MJ, Meriño VY, Guerra CY, et al. Mioterapia en niños con disfunciones neuromusculares. Correo Científico Médico. 2020;24(1):.
  • Plaza TM, Bernal CF. Sistema para medición y predicción de la intensión de movimiento. Rev Cubana Invest Bioméd. 2019;38(2):277-295.

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    The dissemination of the content of this material is for informational purposes only and does not replace, under any circumstance or condition, a consultation with a specialist doctor, for which the ABC Medical Center is not responsible for the different use that may be given to it. If you require more information related to the subject, we suggest you contact the specialist doctor you trust directly.