United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Has anyone seen a Physiatrist and/or had an EMG?

I will be seeing a Physiatrist on Feb 24. I was measured for prosthesis for my left arm at New England Brace Company by Jeff. It is questionable whether my shoulder and arm can handle one.

Peg, my therapist would like me to have an EMG but she said they are very painful. It's possible my bicep is damaged beyond usability; my triceps seem to have some function. She questions my deltoid muscle as well.

We’re working on exercises to strengthen my shoulder, back and arm. They both want me to see Dr Tran, Physiatrist, to evaluate me for the prosthesis. I was hoping someone could give me some more details on what to expect.

Thanks for all the help you guys give me.

Janelle

I have had a few EMG's for various issues. They are a little painful, but nothing to be worried about. I had my first one when I was 13 years old and dealt with it just fine.

They stuck some electrodes on me and then send shocks into your body .. your muscles will twitch in result. They begin with low doses and slowly it progresses to higher shocks, but still nothing that is terribly painful. Just a short little thing that hurts some as the muscles are contracting quickly. But all in all it really is not bad - I wouldn't be worried.

They also use very thin, fine needles and stick them in your muscles to "listen" to them. I do not know much about it, but the needles were so small that they did not hurt me.

I was worried about it when I first had it, but I have had about 3 in total - two on my right arm and one on my upper neck back/shoulder blade area and none were bad at all. Falling and scraping me knee as a kid hurt worse.

I would say as long as u have a good technologist/ doctor then it should be fine.

I had one of my EMG studies done by a Physiatrist- His did not hurt as much as the one I had by a neurologist. And "hurt" is relative. It is not close to the pain of the brachial plexus injury. The electric pulses are similar to muscle stim. The needle prick part where they listen to your muscles contract is not any worse than acupuncture. You feel the initial pricking of the skin, but then it fades. Warning- There are a couple of sensitive spots- Like around your hand and shoulders.

And prepare yourself for the joke that may follow. My neurologist told me to wait a few hours after this test to drink anything. Obviously, you do not want to leak- Ha- Ha.


> Has anyone seen a Physiatrist and/or had an EMG?
>
> I will be seeing a Physiatrist on Feb 24. I was
> measured for prosthesis for my left arm at New
> England Brace Company by Jeff. It is questionable
> whether my shoulder and arm can handle one.
>
> Peg, my therapist would like me to have an EMG but
> she said they are very painful. It's possible my
> bicep is damaged beyond usability; my triceps seem to
> have some function. She questions my deltoid muscle
> as well.
>
> We’re working on exercises to strengthen my shoulder,
> back and arm. They both want me to see Dr Tran,
> Physiatrist, to evaluate me for the prosthesis. I was
> hoping someone could give me some more details on
> what to expect.
>
> Thanks for all the help you guys give me.
>
> Janelle

I've had 3 done. For me it depends where the needle is placed. I have some numb spots, some that feel normally and some that are hypersensitive to pain.

I was brought to tears when they hit the hypersensitive spots. The normal spots it hurt a bit but really not bad.

Thank you guys. I feel a lot better about it now. I've been through so much with this injury. The idea of having a test that would just add pain was not something I would willing volunteer too.Now that I know it is not a big deal I let Dr. Tran perform it.

It's funny but Mike told me I saw Dr. Tran March 6,2007. I was such a mess at that time I don't remember a thing about it. I still had my neck brace on. I've come a long way from then.

Worrying about a test that causes minor pain is no big deal. We all know all too well the pain BPI causes.

Thanks again guys. I feel so much better now.
Janelle

I have had one EMG by my local neuro. It wasn't too bad. Some muscles hurt more than others, it was mainly a deep sort of pain when he wiggled the needles around a little. I have another EMG scheduled for Feb 10 at the Mayo. Good luck. JJ

Dustin has been followed by a Physiatrist since his accident. The Physiatrist also did his first EMG. It wasn't too bad. He just said that the couple of pricks done near his neck hurt a bit. Like Mareike says he also has spots that are numb and didn't feel them. He's had 3 or 4 done at the Mayo also. They haven't really bothered him at all.
Sue

I'm not sure who did it but the EMG is no big deal. I wouldn't say it hurt, it was uncomfortable at points. Especially when they stuck that little needle up by my neck and spine and started wiggling it around.

Basically what they did:
1) The room has to be exceptionally cold for whatever reason.
2) They rubbed jelly on me and stuck a cold little quarter sixed electrode to me in different spots from the hand up to the neck. (Not real jelly, just stuff for the electrical signal to make good contact between your skin and the electrode.
3) They sent little shocks through the electrode, not painful at all, just feels like a muscle twitch.
4) Then they have this really thin little needle they stick in all your muscles to see which ones have a signal still present. Just feel a little prick when they insert it, very minor.
5) Then they wiggle the needle around, thats uncomfortable a little. But at least now I know I pick up local radio Rock 99.5.
6) And thats it!

Thats my experience. Like I said, none really hurt, but more uncomfortable by my neck.

I have my appointment with Dr. Tran on Feb 24. That was the earliest date I could get. I'll know a lot more about the plans after we meet. The main purpose is to discuss which muscles are working.

Thank you all so much for the details of what to expect. I feel so much more comfortable now.
Janelle

About the needle they use, it's basically the same size as what an acupuncture needle is. It's very fine.

I had mine done by my neurologist, she does it often as it is an interest of hers (research wise).

Also, the room I had them done in wasn't any different temperature wise... they may have had that for the computer, but I had it done in 2 different offices and neither was cold. Who knows!

I found the nerve conduction (where they shock you) to be more painful (but not pain, like I would cry), compared to the actual EMG. They do the nerve conduction first then the EMG.