Research indicates that when a nerve-related problem or disorder is suspected, a thorough medical evaluation should include a nerve conduction study. Furthermore, MRIs and CT scans are time consuming and costly procedures that do not always provide physicians with accurate information regarding nerve and muscular conditions. This often causes nerve-related health problems to be misdiagnosed or undiagnosed. However, certain types of nerve damage cannot be seen on an MRI or CT scan. Imaging technology such as computed tomography (a CT scan) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is often initially performed when nerve damage such as a pinched nerve or nerve root is suspected. Both of these procedures are used to help physicians evaluate the presence of a nerve or muscular disease, its location if a disease is present, and the extent of its progression. This test is usually performed along with electromyography (EMG), which is a diagnostic test that assesses a nerve’s ability to transmit electrical signals to muscles and how well the muscles respond. Nerve damage may indicate the presence of a muscular or nerve disease or a traumatic injury.

The purpose of a nerve conduction study is to determine whether nerve destruction or damage has previously occurred. A nerve conduction study, also referred to as a nerve conduction velocity test, is a diagnostic procedure that is performed in order to evaluate how fast an electrical signal can travel along a nerve as well as how strong the signal is.

Nerve conduction test on back