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Nerve Conductive Study for Pain Management

Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS)

Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS) are performed to find damage or injury to the peripheral nervous system. The peripheral nervous system includes all nerves that lead away from the brain and spinal cord and the smaller nerves that branch out from those nerves. A Nerve Conduction Study measures the ability of specific nerves to transmit electrical impulses.

Common Conditions Evaluated

Most often a Nerve Conduction Study is used for people who suffer from pain or other symptoms that occur in the arms or legs. Some of the diagnoses include radicular symptoms, herniated disc, stenosis and nerve root compression. Testing can also evaluate for non-spinal causes of limb pain and weakness such as carpal tunnel syndrome and peripheral neuropathy.

What to Expect During the Procedure

The test is performed in one of the exam rooms at Family Practice of Atlanta. A technician will clean your skin and then attach multiple electrodes to the skin in the area to be tested. Light electrical pulses will be felt over the muscles controlled by the nerves being tested. Signals traveling along the nerves will be recorded and read by your doctor. The results will be sent to your treating physician to discuss with you treatment options.