EMG Results

[jgaer]

I have had discomfort in my left arm for over 3 months.   This is the same arm that was severely dislocated years ago.  The X-Rays show moderate arthritis with a few bone chips floating on the medial side of the arm.  I had an emg and ncs a few weeks and will post a little bit of the results.

Motor Nerves

[jgaer]

Do you think the emg was thorough enouth to rule out ALS?

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS]

EMG tests needs to be compared to the established normals for the lab and technique. Without having these it is difficult to make a comment about the study. You only reported nerve conduction results for the left median and ulnar, and no conductions within the right arm was noted. Therefore, I am not certain what difference the doctor is commenting upon. There was a differnce in the last set of values, but I am not certain these are significant. I would encourage you to call the physician and specifically ask them what they meant. Without knowing what muscles were specifically tested I cannot tell you if a cervical radiculopathy was excluded. It appears that a many areas were tested, but without the full report I cannot comment. If you are still concerned, having a formal consultation with a neurologist would be reasonable. They can examine you, and review the testing which was performed. Good luck.

[ginnybean]

Im not a doctor but often Neurologist's do not diagnosis TOS i was diagnosed by an ortho. Look up Thoracic Outlet Syndrome on your search engine. If it looks like your symptoms find someone in your area who specializes in the disorder. Try Braintalk.org they have a list of doctors in the TOS forum and if your interested on reading some posts you will see that many of the people there went to a least 5 docs before getting diagnosed some as many as 12 neuroligists..Good Luck

[ginnybean]

Make sure you get tested for TOS it looks like you have some nerve damage from what i remember about my ncv before I had carpal tunnel surgery years ago..Any kind of shouldar collarbone or neck injury can possibly cause TOS..Also with TOS people often have negative EMG's and NCV's until the nerve damage is very severe. I was just diagnosed after years of problems and maybe unnecessary carpal tunnel surgery..so make sure they send you to someone who knows something about TOS. My ortho is the one that diagnosed me. Im waiting to post my ? about surgery on here. Good Luck

[jgaer]

Sorry, I got kicked out but here are the results. I'm a 37 year olf male.

Motor Nerves / Left Median
Amplitude
Palm    8.17
Wrist   14.01
Elbow   7.49
Axilla  11.12

Velocity / Left Median
Wrist/Palm   32.8
Elb/Wrist    48.7
Axilla/Elbow 114.6
Axilla/Wrist 13.2

Motor Nerve / Left Ulnar
Amplitude
Wrist        5.07
Belbow       7.05
Aelbow       6.55
Axilla       6.47

Velocity / Left Ulnar
Belbow/Wrist    56.9
Aelbow/Belbow   83.0
Aelbow/Wrist    61.9
Axilla/Aelbow   40.9

F/H report
L Median F  APB 27.19/ 3.91/23.28
L ulnar  F  ADM 27.50/2.81/24.69
R Median F  APB 26.95/3.20/23.75
R ulnar  F  ADM 20.78/3.13/17.66

Emg was done on 5 areas of left arm, 5 areas of left leg and foot, 6 areas of upper back and neck.

The report stated no evidence of fibs or sharp waves.

He told the left arm was different that the right arm on the ncs but never gave me further instructions on what to do.

If all possible can you take an educated guess at the ncs results?  I realize you don't have much to go off of.  Should I see an orthopedist?

Was the emg thorough enough to rule out cervical radiculopathy, ALS or anything serious?

[jgaer]

I have has 2 normal neuro exams!