Quote:
Originally Posted by KLS2007
I had an EMG/NCS this morning and have some questions. I had several of these about 15+ years ago for carpal tunnel syndrome and today's test didn't seem to be as thorough as the one I had done back then (different doctor).
That leads to my first question. They said they were doing this to rule out TOS. Even if the tests were negative, that doesn't necessarily rule out TOS does it? From all I've been reading, I didn't think there was a conclusive test for TOS or am I wrong about that?
I'm also wondering about the test itself. It seemed like most of the test was concentrated from the elbow down. They only positioned the electrode on the scalene area once and the needles were only inserted in my neck from about C5 & above. Is this normal? I had expected that they would be testing some in the brachial plexus area and the C8 area but those were completely avoided. I go back to my doctor Thursday and will get the results then but I just wanted to be prepared to ask the right questions.
|
I am going to look for a few post, on why the EMG is not a good diagx tool for TOS and the article from Tom Tolson that was published.
Basically, there are larger nerves that make the muscles move like feeling heat of a candle, these are the nerves tested in EMG, the smaller sensory nerves can not be tested. They are the ones if you touched the flame and turn red and hurts sends the pain impulses to the brain. They are the first affected in TOS.
Tolsons article is excellant to take to the doctors with you.
Hands on testing to reproduce the symptoms, checking to see sensory where you are as far as feeling dull and sharp pain, along with a detailed history is a large part of diagx TOS.
I will go search for the ppost now.
Good luck
dianne
Oh, when they did my EMG I had a NVC test too that put a probe, not the needles, on the collar bone area and sent a signal, to the palm of my hand. This diagx type should my brachial nerve problem.