For the diagnosis of neuromuscular disease
Electromyography (EMG) is an electrical recording of muscle activity that aids in the diagnosis of neuromuscular disease. Dr. Luke Rigolosi and Dr. Charles Buttaci, board-certified physiatrists or specialists in physical medicine and rehabilitation, provide our patients with this important service.
Purpose
Muscles are stimulated by signals from nerve cells called motor neurons. This stimulation causes electrical activity in the muscle, which in turn causes contraction. A needle electrode inserted into the muscle and connected to a recording device detects this electrical activity. Together, the electrode and recorder are called an electromyography machine. EMG can determine whether a particular muscle is responding appropriately to stimulation and whether a muscle remains inactive when not stimulated.
EMG is performed most often to help diagnose different diseases causing weakness. Although EMG is a test of the motor system, it may help identify abnormalities of nerves or spinal nerve roots that may be associated with pain or numbness. Other symptoms for which EMG may be useful include numbness, atrophy, stiffness, fasciculation, cramp, deformity, and spasticity. EMG results can help determine whether symptoms are due to a muscle disease or a neurological disorder, and, when combined with clinical findings, usually allow a confident diagnosis.
If you think we can help you, call our appointment staff at .
Location
OrthoNY’s EMG service is located in the Imaging Center at our main office in the Everett Road Health Park at 121 Everett Road in Albany. Our EMG service can be reached at .