Nerve Testing for Foot and Leg Pain

What You Need to Know

Understanding how nerve testing works and when it may be recommended for you.

Nerve and Neurological Sensory Testing

Nerve and neurological sensory testing is performed using an electromyogram (EMG), which measures the electrical activity of muscles at rest and during contraction. Nerve conduction studies measure how well and how fast the nerves can send electrical signals.

Nerves control the muscles in the body with electrical signals called impulses. These impulses make the muscles react in specific ways, allowing your doctor to evaluate the responsiveness of the nerves and muscles. An abnormal response indicates a problem with the nerves and muscles, and may help to establish the specific nature of the issue.

A nerve sense test may be called for if you are experiencing any symptoms of nerve damage or a nerve disorder. These include tingling, numbness, weakness, spasms, or paralysis of the leg muscles. The results of an EMG can reveal any abnormalities, issues, or damage to the muscles and nerves and help to identify the root issue.

There are a number of different things that can cause muscle pain and numbness in the lower extremities. Poor circulation, diabetes, injuries, and other conditions can cause damage to nerves and muscles that impedes their ability to conduct signals and respond to impulses from the brain.

If you have leg pain or numbness that has not resolved on its own, schedule an evaluation with 1Foot 2Foot so we can determine whether nerve testing is the right next step for you.

What to Expect During Your EMG

An EMG can be performed at one of our 1Foot 2Foot podiatry offices in a room designed to block outside electrical interference. You will be asked to either lie down on a table or bed or sit in a reclining chair to relax your muscles. The skin around the testing area will be cleaned, and an electrode attached to a recording machine will be placed on the skin.

Once the electrodes are in place, the electrical activity in your relaxed muscle is recorded by the machine. The next step is to record the electrical activity in the contracted muscle, so your technologist will then ask you to slowly tighten the muscle. To get a complete reading of your muscle, the electrode may need to be moved several times. A video monitor shows the electrical activity as wavy or spiked lines, and you may also hear the activity as you contract and release your muscles. The test usually takes 30 to 60 minutes.

No major preparation is necessary for an EMG. You should bathe or shower the day of the test, and your doctor may ask you not to use lotion or oil on the area being examined, as these can interfere with results. Let your doctor know if you have a pacemaker or cardiac defibrillator, as electrical stimulation may affect these implants.

There may be some mild muscle soreness following an EMG, but this should subside after a day or two. You will receive your results within a couple of days, and if needed your doctor will work with you to put together a treatment plan based on the findings.