Common symptoms
- Comprehensive orthopedic evaluation
- Same-day imaging at most offices
- Conservative-first care plan tailored to your goals
- Coordinated specialty referrals when needed
- In-network insurance for most major carriers
EMG & Nerve Conduction Study
Tests that check nerve and muscle function
Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCS) measure how well the muscles and nerves of the body are working. They are used to confirm pinched nerves, carpal tunnel syndrome, and other nerve disorders. Same-day or next-week evaluations across eight LA-area offices.
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Key takeaways
- EMG and nerve conduction testing is part of the full diagnostic toolkit our LAOSS specialists use every day.
- Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCS) measure how well the muscles and nerves of the body are working. They are used to confirm pinched nerves, carpal tunnel syndrome, and other nerve disorders.
- The results show which nerve is affected, where, and how severely, which guides treatment.
- Same-day appointments available across eight Los Angeles-area offices.
About EMG and nerve conduction studies
EMG and nerve conduction testing is part of the orthopedic care we offer at LAOSS. Below, we walk through what the tests measure, who benefits from them, and what to expect.
The results help your specialist pinpoint where a nerve is affected and how severely.
Watch: Electromyography (EMG)
This is a test of your muscles and nerves. It usually has two parts. One is a nerve conduction study. This measures how well electricity moves through your nerves. The second part is a needle electromyogram. It records the electrical signals your muscles make when you move them. The results can help your doctor find problems linked to certain disorders or conditions.
Inside the musculoskeletal system.
Nerves carry electrical signals between the spinal cord and your muscles and skin. When a nerve is pinched or damaged, those signals slow down or weaken, which can cause numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness. EMG and nerve conduction studies measure those signals to show where the problem is.
What we offer with EMG and nerve conduction studies.
Common causes
- New patients exploring an orthopedic complaint
- Existing LAOSS patients continuing care
- Patients seeking a second opinion
- Athletes and active adults of every age
How we start treatment
When you book with LAOSS for an EMG and nerve conduction study, here's the flow:
- Initial visit: detailed history, focused exam, on-site X-ray when needed
- Diagnosis & plan: most patients leave with imaging-confirmed answers and a written treatment plan
- Treatment: whether that's PT, an injection, or surgery, your specialist stays involved at every step
- Follow-up: measured benchmarks, direct line to your care team, plan adjustments as recovery progresses
Orthopedic care, conservative-first.
We start with the least-invasive option that fits, and escalate only when it doesn't.
Conservative care
Step 1If testing shows a pinched or irritated nerve
Most nerve compression is treated without surgery first.
- Wrist or elbow splinting, especially at night
- Activity and ergonomic changes
- Physical or hand therapy, including nerve gliding exercises
- Anti-inflammatory medication or a steroid injection
- Epidural steroid injection for a pinched nerve in the neck or back
Surgical care
When neededIf the nerve needs more room
Surgery is considered when testing shows significant compression or symptoms continue despite conservative care.
- Carpal tunnel release
- Release of other compressed nerves, such as the ulnar nerve at the elbow
- Microdiscectomy or laminectomy for a pinched nerve in the spine
- Repeat nerve testing to track recovery when needed
Why experience matters.
Why experience matters
Orthopedic care is highly technique-dependent. Volume, training, and judgment together determine the outcome you feel six months later.
- Precise diagnosis from imaging and exam
- Conservative-first care that avoids unnecessary surgery
- Technique refined over thousands of cases
- On-site imaging + coordinated PT through your in-network provider
The LAOSS approach
Our orthopedic specialists move stepwise: start with the least-invasive option that fits, escalate only when it doesn't.
- Same-day imaging at most offices
- PT coordinated in your insurance network
- Board-certified specialists performing the procedures themselves
- Direct access to your specialist between visits
Am I a candidate?
If most of these match your situation, an evaluation with a orthopedic specialist is the next step.
You may be a candidate if
These signs typically point toward this service being a good fit.
- Numbness, tingling, or burning in a hand, arm, foot, or leg
- Weakness, clumsiness, or muscle wasting without a clear cause
- Pain that shoots from the neck into the arm or from the back into the leg
- Nerve symptoms that have not improved with treatment
- An exam that suggests carpal tunnel syndrome, another trapped nerve, or a pinched nerve in the spine
What evaluation includes
Your first visit is built to give you an answer the same day, not just another referral.
- Detailed history: onset, mechanism, what makes it better or worse
- Hands-on exam focused on the affected joint or region
- On-site imaging at most offices (X-ray, ultrasound)
- Clear plan with options ranging from conservative to surgical
- Same-day or next-day scheduling for any follow-up tests
ImportantSeek urgent evaluation for sudden severe pain, numbness, progressive weakness, or any sign of infection (fever, increasing redness or swelling).
What to expect with EMG and nerve conduction testing.
These tests need no recovery. Here is what happens before, during, and after.
- Before
Getting ready
Little preparation is needed. You can eat normally and take most medications as usual.
- Skip lotions and creams on the day of the test
- Tell the examiner if you take blood thinners or have a bleeding disorder
- Tell the examiner if you have a pacemaker or implanted defibrillator
- Wear loose clothing that gives access to the arm or leg being tested
- During
The two parts of the test
You are awake for the test, and no sedation is needed. Brief tingling or a mild ache is common and passes quickly.
- Nerve conduction study: small electrical pulses measure how fast and how well a nerve carries signals
- Needle EMG: a very thin needle electrode records the electrical activity of selected muscles
- The examiner chooses which nerves and muscles to test based on your symptoms
- You can drive yourself home afterward
- After
Results and next steps
You can return to normal activities right away. The results are read together with your exam and any imaging to guide treatment.
- Mild muscle soreness or small bruises where the needle was placed, usually for a day or two
- Results show which nerve is affected, where, and how severely
- Findings help decide between splinting, therapy, injections, or surgery
- Repeat testing may be ordered later to track nerve recovery
Risks & considerations
What to weigh before you decide.
We talk through the risks and benefits with every patient. Informed consent is a conversation, not a form.
General considerations
EMG and nerve conduction studies are low-risk tests. No anesthesia or incisions are involved.
- Brief discomfort from the electrical pulses or the needle electrode
- Minor bruising or soreness where the needle was placed
- Slightly higher bleeding risk if you take blood thinners or have a bleeding disorder
- Infection at a needle site, which is very rare
What can affect your results
Some factors change how the test is done or how the results are read. Tell the examiner about these before testing.
- A pacemaker, defibrillator, or other implanted electrical device
- Cold hands or feet, which slow nerve signals
- Lotion or oil on the skin, which interferes with the skin electrodes
- Testing very soon after an injury, before nerve changes can be measured
Meet our orthopedic specialists
At LAOSS, our orthopedic specialists are board-certified and treat these problems every day. From minimally invasive techniques to coordinating your rehab, our physicians bring decades of experience to every case. We have cared for Los Angeles patients since 2007, with one goal for each: less pain, better movement, and a return to the activities you love.
Specialists, not generalists.
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Accepting new patients
Jose Antonio Acosta, MD
Pain Management & Rehabilitation
Speaks English and Spanish
Habla español
- Glendale
- Encino
- Valencia
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Reliable nerve testing starts here
With same- or next-day appointments at eight Los Angeles-area offices, you'll never wait weeks or months for answers. Whether you need physical therapy, injections, or surgery, we plan it with you and coordinate each step.
Call or schedule online today to see an orthopedic specialist in Los Angeles.
FAQ.
- These tests are usually ordered for numbness, tingling, burning pain, or weakness that suggests a nerve or muscle problem, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, a pinched nerve in the neck or back, or peripheral neuropathy. Your specialist will examine you first and explain whether testing would change your diagnosis or treatment.
Find out if an EMG and nerve conduction study is right for you.
Same-day and next-day appointments at eight Los Angeles-area offices. Book a visit and meet your specialist.
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Greater Los Angeles
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