Electromyography, the second part of the test, allows the consultant to see if the nerve that goes from the spinal cord to individual muscles is damaged. The doctor puts a thin sterile pin into selected muscles and listens and watches a TV screen for signals from the muscle. Patients are able to hear sounds from the machine when they barely move a muscle. For much of the test, it's necessary to relax the muscle. For other parts, the patient will be asked to slightly tense the muscle being tested.
Electrodiagnostic tests involve no radiation or medication, and are safer than most tests.
It is normal to experience a mild muscle ache for a few days after the test, and people will occasionally notice a small bruise, which disappears. There are no long-term side effects. Like most electrodiagnostic laboratories, the one at The Spine Program has never had a patient with a serious complication. But patients who are on blood thinners, who have lung diseases, or are at risk for infection should notify the physician who is testing them. If for some reason a patient experiences severe shortness of breath, fever with new severe back pain, or any other problem should seek emergency medical care.