Physicians Newsletter

MRI reveals spinal anatomy, while EMG/NCS provides complementary information about nerve function. Learn when electrodiagnostic testing helps clarify lumbar radiculopathy, distinguish peripheral nerve conditions, and guide clinical decisions.

EMG/NCS can do more than confirm a diagnosis. Results may redirect treatment by localizing nerve involvement, grading severity, ruling out mimics, and clarifying whether the current care pathway is appropriate.

Back-to-school hand paresthesia is often blamed on device use, but CTS diagnosis requires more than typing history. EMG/NCS can help confirm median nerve involvement, localize compression, and grade severity.

EMG/NCS can help evaluate suspected neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome, distinguish it from cervical radiculopathy or peripheral entrapment neuropathies, and establish a baseline for treatment planning.

EMG/NCS can help characterize athletic brachial plexus injuries, distinguish neurapraxia from more significant nerve injury, and provide objective data for return-to-play decisions.

EMG/NCS can help localize the cause of foot drop, distinguish peroneal mononeuropathy from L4–L5 radiculopathy, sciatic neuropathy, or plexopathy, and document severity for treatment planning.

EMG/NCS can help identify root-level involvement in suspected cervical radiculopathy and distinguish it from carpal tunnel syndrome, ulnar neuropathy, plexopathy, and polyneuropathy.

EMG/NCS can help confirm focal tibial nerve involvement, localize tarsal tunnel syndrome, assess severity, and distinguish it from radiculopathy, polyneuropathy, plantar fasciitis, and other mimics.

EMG/NCS provides objective nerve conduction data that can help physicians detect diabetic peripheral neuropathy, establish a baseline, and distinguish DPN from treatable superimposed conditions.

MRI shows spinal anatomy, while EMG/NCS evaluates nerve function. Together, they can help physicians distinguish true lumbar radiculopathy from mimics and incidental imaging findings.