Nerve conduction tests

Hi fellow pacers,

I have to have a nerve conduction test done sometime within the next week and since this test is new to me I started to read up on what to expect. As the word electrical kept popping up I stopped reading and came here instead. Has anyone on this site ever had one of these tests and did it interfere with your pm? I am a little nervous about the test so input would be very welcome. Hope everyone has had a nice week so far.

Mona

6 Comments

Thanks for the information

by jessame - 2010-09-16 05:09:14

Electric Frank,
Thanks for your invaluable input. I always look for your input on anyones posts. You are so much more informative than any doctor. You should start a side business LOL! The conduction test I believe will be in the foot region unless they are going to check my back. I really need to learn to ask questions. Thanks for being there for all of us.

Neville,
Thank you for telling me about the magnet from Medtronics. I actually have a Medtronic PM. I have never heard of that. Very interesting.

Heidi,
Earlier in the year I had 2- 65lb dogs run full speed into the back of my knees when they were out in the yard romping and needless to say I went down. I ended up with a LisFrank injury (midfoot fracture). Now months later after thinking all was well, my foot is really acting up. My last 2 toes are constantly numb and when I wear enclosed shoes within a 1/2 hr. my foot feels like it is in a vice.The down side of this type of injury is post-traumatic arthritis. There is no doubt that it will develop. Well my podiatrist asked if I had ever had lower back problems. I had a surgery 9 yrs ago for a herniated disc. So he sent me today for a CT of the foot. He really wants an MRI but knows he can't.
So if the CT comes back normal then the nerve contuction test will either rule in or out any connection to my sciatic nerve and possible nerve inpingement in my lower spine. I hope I answered your question. Let me know if you have any other questions. And if I end up having the test I will let you know how it goes.

Thanks again you guys :)


Nerve conduction test

by ElectricFrank - 2010-09-16 12:09:36

The word electrical shows up in descriptions of a nerve conduction test because nerves are in many ways electrical pathways. An example would be our moving a finger. An impulse originates in the brain which is conducted by a nerve bundle through the spine, down the arm, and into the finger where it stimulates a muscle fiber in the finger causing it to contract. A return nerve conducts information about the resulting movement back to the brain. Having a smooth controlled movement of the finger requires that that nerves conduct the information smoothly and accurately.

Defects can be caused by a mechanical pressure on the nerve bundle (pinched nerve) or by a neurological problem with the nerve itself. To test for these problems an instrument which is very similar to an ECG called an EMG is used to measure the voltage that a muscle generates when it contracts. Electrodes are either placed over the muscle or a needle electrode is inserted into it. The tech will ask you to move the body part in a way that uses the muscle and the waveform is observed. By analyzing the tracing the health of the pathway can be estimated. So far all this is very passive and has no effect on a pacemaker.

The second part of the test is intended to find where in the nerve pathway a defect exists. It also looks at the health of the nerve itself. In this part of the test the tech instead of asking you to move, will introduce a small pulse of electricity into the nerve at various places in the pathway and observe the result on the muscle signal.

This is all very scientific so here is the bottom line. The electrical pulse is a jolt which feels much like getting a static jolt from a door knob in dry weather. The muscle at the end of the nerve pathway will twitch or jump. As far as the pacer is concerned if the test is run on leg muscles there is no chance of a problem. The same would be true on the arm opposite the pacemaker. Even on the pacemaker side the jolt is so small and locally contained that it is unlikely to be a problem. Even if it affected the pacemaker it would be limited to skipping a beat or such, unless you have an ICD.

By the way I've had two NCT's in my life and the only discomfort was having the needle electrode stuck in my calf muscle and a mild shock that felt like someone slapped the bottom of my foot. At that time I didn't have a pacemaker, but being an electronic engineer I have had far worse shocks since with no problem.

I hope this wasn't too technical. Let me know if it was and feel free to ask more direct questions.

best,

frank

Nerve Conduction Test and PM/ICD

by Nornor - 2010-09-16 12:09:52

Hello Mona

Earlier in the year my general practitioner considered the possibility of me having a nerve conduction test whilst assessing pain in my wrists and fingers.He suggested that I contact my EP to check on any possible electrical interference between the conduction test and my pacemaker/defibrillator. My EP arranged for me to receive a magnet from Medtronic, the manufacturer of my PM/Defib, for use during the conduction test. The device is placed over the PM/Defibrillator during the procedure and removed immediately on completion of the test. The magnet temporarily suspends detection and shocks from the device while it is in place. As soon as the magnet is removed, the device functions normally.The device continues to pace the heart with the magnet in place, as only ICD electrical therapies are affected or de-activated with the magnet in place. As it turned out, I did not need to take the conduction test as another diagnosis was given. I still have the magnet, ready for any future procedure requiring its use.Not knowing whether your device includes a defibrillator, I would suggest that you contact your EP for advice before proceeding with the nerve conduction test.

I hope that all goes well with the procedure. I have had a great week thus far and look forward to some sunshine for the weekend.

Keep smiling

Neville

Curious

by Heidiglassmeyer - 2010-09-16 12:09:53

Hi Mona,

I have not had this test but wondering if you would share why you are having it done? Just curious as I have ongoing issues with my sciatic nerve. I am sure if you were researching it you found the direction to discuss with your DR if you have a PM. What has your DR/PM rep said? Hopefully someone who has had the procedure will respond and help you feel more comfortable.

Best wishes,
Heidi

And oh...

by Pookie - 2010-09-17 09:09:22

it didn't interfere with my pacemaker at all :)

take care,
Pookie

I had it done !!!!!!!!!!

by Pookie - 2010-09-17 09:09:25

I had my EMG in August. It wasn't that painful, but it didn't make me laugh either.

I had the 5th & 7th cranial nerves tested....on the left side of my face.

I guess the simplest way to explain what I felt was: it was no worse than getting blood drawn by a really bad needle giver.

It can be uncomfortable, but not painful. I am the world's biggest whimp and I didn't cry. I, however, insisted that Lloyd, my husband, come in with me to hold my hand....and that helped me. The doctor wasn't going to allow Lloyd to come in, but that's another story for another day:)

If you have any questions, please, by all means, you can private message me and I'll be more than happy to help you in any way that I can.

Pookie

You know you're wired when...

You can take a lickin’ and keep on tickin’.

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