Robert Egert, MD

What is a Physiatrist?

A Physiatrist (FIZZ-EYE-A-TRIST) is a medical doctor (M.D.) whose specialty area is physical medicine and rehabilitation. After graduation from medical school, residency requirements include a one year internship followed by three years of specialty training in medicine and rehabilitation.

How can a Physiatrist help me?

Because of the special training a Physiatrist receives in medical specialty areas like neurology, orthopedics, anbd rheumatology, they are experts at dealing with all the systems in the body and the disorders that can negatively affect a patient's functional ability. A Physiatrist has distinct diagnostic tools and approaches for evaluating each patient's needs, whether it be from catastrophic injury or potentially disabling disorders like arthritis, tendinitis, peripheral nerve problems, carpal tunnel syndrome, joint problems, and neck or back injuries. therapy, spinal injections, or referrals to other medical providers for evaluation or treatment.

ELECTRODIAGNOSTIC STUDIES

Your physician has referred you for an electromyogram (EMG). The EMG can give information about the health of your nerves and muscles that no other test, such as an x-ray, scan, or blood test, can give. You may have heard about the EMG, or you may know nothing about it. Our purpose is to explain the test, and to inform you about what you will experience when you have the test.

As you may know, the brain and spinal cord control muscle movements and receive information from the body through a network of nerves. These nerves travel through your arms, legs and body. Information is transmitted along these nerves by small electrical impulses. The EMG is a way to measure the ability of your nerves to carry these electrical messages.

The test itself has two parts: 1) nerve conduction studies and 2) electromyography. In the first part, a nerve is stimulated by sending a mild, brief shock to the skin near the nerve. Then the speed and strength of the response to the stimulus is measured through small discs on your skin. Dr. Egert performs the test and knows what normal responses should be and can tell the health of the nerve being tested. The electrical impulses are in no way dangerous to you, even if you have a pacemaker. Dr. Egert will tell you when to expect a stimulus, but it still may feel sudden and annoying. Despite this, most patients find the nerve conduction studies tolerable, especially because of their importance in determining your diagnosis.

The second part of the test is the electromyography.This part of the test is the most accurate and sensitive test known to determine if there is any damage to the nerves that supply your muscles. In this part, a thin pin is inserted into a muscle. The electrical signals in your muscles are then transmitted onto a screen where Dr. Egert can see and hear them. For most people the discomfort and pain is less than when they get blood drawn for a lab test. Of course, each pin is used only once and then thrown away, so there is no possibility of transmitting disease through the pin.

When the EMG is completed Dr. Egert will look at the results of the two parts of the study and write a report. If the test shows a problem, then your doctor can discuss with you what should be done. If the test is normal then you can rest assured that your nerves, muscles and the connections between them are healthy.

We hope this handout has answered some of your questions, but if you have more, please ask us when you come in for your test. We look forward to seeing you so we can supply you and your physician with the information you need.

Please

Do: Notify us if you are taking any anticoagulants (blood thinners).

Don't: Apply lotions or creams to your arms, legs or hands on the day of the test.