Nerve Testing for Chronic Foot Pain

What You Need To Know

Understanding nerve testing and what it can reveal about your foot and leg symptoms.

Nerve Sensory Testing Explained

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 establish the specific nature of the issue.

Neuropathy is nerve damage. Peripheral neuropathy affects the nerves that travel to your legs and arms. Damaged nerves will not transmit messages to the brain, so patients often have abnormal or decreased sensation, along with burning, tingling, numbness, or stabbing pain in the toes or fingertips.

The most common cause of peripheral neuropathy is diabetes. Other causes include poor circulation, heredity, advanced age, arthritis, certain medications, alcoholism, injury, and neurological disorders like fibromyalgia and spina bifida.

If you are experiencing tingling, numbness, weakness, spasms, or paralysis of the leg muscles, a nerve sense test may be recommended to identify the root cause and guide your treatment plan.

What to Expect During Your EMG

No major preparation is necessary for an electromyogram test. 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. Inform your doctor if you have a pacemaker or cardiac defibrillator, as electrical stimulation may affect these implants.

During the test, you will lie on a table 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. The electrical activity in your relaxed muscle is recorded first, then your technologist will ask you to slowly tighten the muscle so activity can be recorded during contraction. The EMG test usually takes 30 to 60 minutes.

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.

While there is no cure for neuropathy, treatment goals are to slow the progression of the disease while maintaining foot health. Patients should inspect their feet regularly, wear shoes that fit properly, avoid walking barefoot, and visit their podiatrist at least once a year for a thorough examination to check for damage and infection.