Nerve Conduction Study:

A Nerve Conduction Study (NCS) is a useful diagnostic tool that measures the rate at which an electrical impulse moves along a nerve. It is used to diagnose disorders of the peripheral nerves and muscle.

Procedure:

• The nerve is stimulated, usually with surface electrodes, which are patch-like electrodes (similar to those used for ECG) placed on the skin over the nerve at various locations.

• One electrode stimulates the nerve with a very mild electrical impulse.

• The resulting electrical activity is recorded by the other electrodes. The distance between electrodes and the time it takes for electrical impulses to travel between electrodes are used to calculate the nerve conduction velocity.

Electromyography is often done at the same time as the NCV test.

Preparation:

• Normal body temperature must be maintained (low body temperature slows nerve conduction).

How It Feels

The impulse may feel like an electric shock. Depending on how strong the stimulus is, the patient will feel it to varying degrees. It may be uncomfortable for some patients during the actual test. There should be no residual pain once the test is finished.

Often the nerve conduction test is followed by electromyography (EMG) which involves needles being placed into the muscle and the patient contracting that muscle. This can be uncomfortable during the test, and muscle soreness at the site of the needles may be experienced afterwards as well.

Here are some other examples of the images / procedures performed during such a study: