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 Nerve Conduction Studies Specialist

Lafayette Bone and Joint Clinic

Orthopedic Surgeons & Pain Management Specialists located in Lafayette, LA

Finding the root cause of your pain symptoms helps determine your best treatment options. Lafayette Bone and Joint Clinic in Lafayette, Louisiana, is a state-of-the-art orthopedic clinic that provides on-site diagnostic testing. Daniel Hodges, MD, a board-certified physical medicine and rehabilitation physician at Lafayette Bone and Joint Clinic, performs nerve conduction studies to determine if a nerve disorder is causing your pain. Find out more about nerve conduction studies by calling the office or scheduling an appointment online today.

Nerve Conduction Studies Q&A

What are nerve conduction studies?

Nerve conduction studies, also known as a nerve conduction velocity (NCV) test, measure the speed of an electrical impulse through a nerve. These studies help determine if you have nerve damage or nerve dysfunction.

Dr. Hodges often performs nerve conduction studies at the same time as electromyography (EMG). The nerve velocity test measures nerve function, while the EMG tests muscle function. 

More specifically, the EMG records electrical impulses in your muscles to assess the function of the motor nerves that control muscle movement. 

Dr. Hodges performs both the nerve conduction studies and EMGs at Lafayette Bone and Joint Clinic.

Who needs nerve conduction studies?

Dr. Hodges, or one of the other skilled physicians at Lafayette Bone and Joint Clinic, determines if you need a nerve conduction study after an initial evaluation. Your provider may request the diagnostic test if they suspect your pain symptoms are related to a nerve disorder.  

Dr. Hodges may recommend a nerve conduction study to confirm or rule out:

  • Guillain-Barre syndrome
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Sciatic nerve problems
  • Neuropathy or polyneuropathy
  • Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease

The state-of-the-art clinic may also request nerve conduction studies if you have symptoms that indicate a nerve or muscle disorder, such as burning, tingling, or numbness that radiates into your arms or legs. 

What happens during nerve conduction studies?

Dr. Hodges performs your nerve conduction study at the office. Before the test, you need to remove all jewelry, eyeglasses, hearing aids, and other metal objects that might interfere with the test results.

You change into an exam gown and sit or lie down on the exam table. Dr. Hodges locates the nerve undergoing the study and attaches a recording electrode over the nerve. He then places a stimulating electrode at a set distance from the recording electrode.

Dr. Hodges activates the electrode, sending a mild electrical shock that stimulates your nerve and may cause mild discomfort. Dr. Hodges then records the response time or the conduction velocity.

The EMG test follows the nerve conduction study.

After your testing, you can resume your usual activities. 

Find out more about nerve conduction studies at Lafayette Bone and Joint Clinic by calling the office or scheduling a consultation online today.