BALTIMORE, Md. (Ivanhoe Newswire) – Locating the source of nerve pain can be like chasing a ghost. That’s because nerve signals from the pain source frequently transmit the wrong location to the brain. Now, doctors are finding a way to narrow down and diagnose nerve pain’s origin, giving new hope to patients.
It’s estimated 15 to 20 million Americans suffer from nerve pain – that would include Robin Martinoli, who retired from the Pentagon. She took up quilting, but painful carpal tunnel syndrome changed her plans.
“I will never get my feeling back in these two fingers. If I go to pick up needles when I quilt, and I’d l think I’ve got one, I’ve got three or four of them,” Martinoli expresses.
Carpal tunnel is caused by compression of the nerves in her hand and wrist that produce constant, nagging pain.
“Until you relieve the nerve compression, it’s, generally, not going go away. So, the key to a good nerve test is figuring out where the source of your nerve generation is so that we can address the root of the problem,” explains Nicholas Anastasio, MD, a Mercy Medical Center non-surgical orthopedic.
A tool called electromyography, or EMG, can help solve that problem. When nerve conduction and EMG are performed together, skin electrodes measure signals sent along the nerve. then, a very small EMG needle records electrical activity in the muscle. The slower the signal, the greater the risk of damage.
Dr. Anastasio adds, “We did the nerve conduction test and confirmed that she had carpal tunnel on both sides. She hadn’t completely ruined the nerve over 30 or 40 years. It still was alive and intact. That allowed us the ability to justify carpal tunnel release which takes the pressure off the nerve and relieves the symptoms.”
Martinoli says, “The recovery time was really quick and easy.”
EMG can also distinguish between compressive nerve injuries, like carpal tunnel, and more serious neuromuscular diseases such as muscular dystrophy. Patients are advised to wait 21 days post nerve injury to have the nerve signal speeds measured.
Contributors to this news report include: Donna Parker, Producer; Kirk Manson, Videographer; Roque Correa, Editor.
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Source:
https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/unexplained-nerve-pain-the-mystery-of-neuropathic-pain
MEDICAL BREAKTHROUGHS
RESEARCH SUMMARY
TOPIC: EMG: CHASING THE GHOST OF NERVE PAIN
REPORT: MB #5233
BACKGROUND: Neuropathic pain, or nerve pain, is a type of pain that is caused by damage or dysfunction to the nerves. This type of pain can be debilitating and difficult to manage, as it often does not respond well to traditional pain medications. In the general population it is known to have a presence ranging from three to 17 percent. There are many different types of nerve pain, each with their own unique causes and symptoms. Most treatments have moderate effectiveness and side effects that can limit their use.
(Source:
DIAGNOSING: Diagnosing nerve pain can be challenging, as the symptoms can be vague and may be similar to other types of pain. However, there are several tests and evaluations that healthcare professionals can use to help determine the underlying cause of the pain. Diagnosis will usually require a full medical history of exposure to toxins, drinking habits, and family history, along with a neurological examination. Doctors also commonly will order blood tests, imaging tests, nerve function tests, nerve biopsies, and skin biopsies.
(Source:
NEW TECHNOLOGY: A tool called electromyography (EMG) is a diagnostic test that measures the electrical activity of muscles and nerves. This test can be used to help diagnose a wide range of conditions, including nerve damage, muscle disorders, and neuromuscular diseases. During an EMG test, small electrodes are placed on the skin or inserted into the muscle tissue using a thin needle. These electrodes measure the electrical activity of the muscles and nerves in response to various stimuli, such as voluntary muscle contractions or electrical stimulation.
(Source:
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/electromyography-emg)
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS REPORT, PLEASE CONTACT:
Dan Collins
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