Has anyone had a nerve conduction test/emg in their RSD foot/limb?
I'm having this done next week .....if I don't run away first...(limp away )
I'm sure it is different for everyone and there isn't a way to predict or guage the OUCH factor.. but it'll help(I think....) to hear about your experience with it..
It might cause a flare, and extreme pain, but we've got to find out what's goin' on with my nerves...are they dead or alive....
The injury was in 2006 and the surgery was in 2008 and this has never been done..
thanks for writing about your experience...good or bad!
Hugs from
Hope4thebest oxoxxoxo

Sure. I've had it done bianually - every two years on average - since 2001. It's not so bad, once you get used to it. And while it doesn't pick up the small fiber neuropathy that this the sine qua non of RSD, it is useful and I'm told necessary for ruling out other problems that may set in over time. Here's a link to a little Wikipedia article on the procedure, and specifically what they are looking for with it. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nerve_conduction_study

It consist of two parts, I've forgotten which is which. In one case, extremly thin (accupuncture width) needles are inserted fairly deep into the luscle that don't hurt a bit: certainly not if you have any perepheral neuropathy in the area as I do. Then they just monitor electrical signalling. The only exception in terms of discomfort is if someone manipulates the limb with the needles in the muscles. That can get uncomfortable. On the other hand, when a young hot shot did that to me at Cedars, I had the occassion to then bring the report with me a few months later to the Mayo Clinic Rochester, where a neurologist proclaimed it an "outstanding" study. So this may be an area where you get what you pay for.

The other part of the study sounds scarrier, but it's not so bad. Basically, you're wired for sound and then introduced to the business end of a catttle prod. Not so bad because (1) there are few if any nerves of interest in the feet so they don't usually start that low and (2) because each burst is mercifully short. The most uncomfortable one I had was at the Mayo Clinic, where the neurologist tried to see if he could induce a spasms with a computer controlled firing something between 8 - 12 bursts per second. The good news was that it was over in about 1.5 seconds with no ill effects. That, and for reasons unclear to me, I am told that they can get all the information they need by testing a single leg.

Only one word of caution: if you have any "trick knees" or the like, be sure to tell the neurologist before s/he starts the any manipulation of your leg as part of the procedure.

Hope this is hepful.

Mike

Thanks Mike as I may end up having to have one of these done when I switch over to Dr Carroll at Stanford sometime this spring/summer. He asked me if I had had one done since this started with me. And no I haven't had one. I always heard that EMG's were a no no in you RSD affected area due to the pain they could/would cause. Took some of the fear out for me.

DebbyV

Hi Hope! I have had this done, but on my RSD affected arm. For me, the apprehension was much worse than the test. Be sure to be on schedule with your meds, wear something comfortable ( I had to lay down for mine) and try not to tense up. If possible have someone drive you so you can relax on the way to the test. You probably wouldn't need to have a driver, but I had to drive over 45 miles one way, and tend to get tense while doing interstate driving. A lot of valuable information can be found from this test, so it is probably good to have it. Good luck, Lisa

Thanks for the feedback!!
Mike, the reports of your tests and procedures are always so detailed and thorough!!! As always, thank you! So you have this done every two years!! With such frequency, and no real catastrophies to report, I feel much calmer about going into this!!!
Also thanks for the link that describes the details....yikes
Up until December 23, I was getting injections directly into the nerves in my foot...the deep and superficial peroneals, the tibial and the sural...these always flared my foot with burning pain for at least 24 hours.... but then gave me more range of motion and ultimately decreased the burn!!
I guess it is the potential for burn flare that scares me!!...and maybe the potential for spread
Did you ever see progress with each of your tests, or did things remain constant for you?

Debby, I find it amazing that neither one of us have ever had this procedure!
I know that a couple of docs were intimidated by the RSD and didn't want to cause me inordinate pain by doing the test! this might be why I am so apprehensive! I, too, had heard that this test in an RSD limb can cause pain flare.. If you have it done at Stanford, good luck with the test and the outcome!

Lisa, I agree that this test can reveal a lot of information that can help with our treatment protocol and the condition of our nerves!! If I can get over the apprehension, I truly look forward to the results and what they''ll reveal.
I expecially want to know if I have entrapped nerves which can cause RSD symptoms!!!
I have to go to work in the morning and then drive myself to the test which is about an hour and fifteen minutes away..I just hope I don't end up with a painful scenario and have to drive back

Another new RSD adventure...wheeeeeee!

Hope4thebest xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Hi. I have had 2 emg/nc and one ssep which is I think a more extensive emg type test and was much worse then the emg/nc pain wise. I have RSD in my inner ankle/foot calf of both legs now. The emg/nc dx with me peripheral neuropathy. So I have both RSD and PN. For me I don't allow docs to even touch my legs cause the pain it sends me into. These tests were preformed early in my condition along with almost every other type of test imaginable. From when I researched everyone has a different response to the pain. I have delayed pain as well so as needed meds were needed. You may want to talk to your doc about that if you don't have meds to take in a flare. Sometimes like for me this test was not given for RSD dx it was looking for other possible conditions. Sending good thoughts.