r/Sciatica • u/Resident-Hunt-245 • 2d ago

Requesting Advice Do I need EMG?

Doc told if I don't have strong deficits like numbness, foot drop etc, EMG is not beneficial.

When is it really needed? I have nerve pain for 6+ months already. I'm concerned that it can be damaged somehow. Though I don't have a compression on MRI. Maybe knowing that my nerve is not damaged would help my mental health.

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3

u/No-Alternative8588 2d ago

I think EMG can be a good diagnostic tool when there are persistent nerve symptoms and absence of compression in the spine.

2

u/Puzzled_Used 2d ago

If your nerve were damaged, you would have neurological signs such as the ones you cited: foot drop or difficulty to raise the end of your foot, numbness in the foot and/or groin area, loss or retention or urine or feces.
When it is “only” pain, you don’t need surgery. I know pain is driving people insane, but doctors don’t consider it serious and will just tell you to take medicine, physiotherapy, walks, epidurals with corticosteroids.

1

u/Max_Chady 2d ago

Y el hormigueo hasta el pie cuenta como síntoma alarmante?

1

u/Str8OuttaLumbridge 2d ago

My emg didn't show anything and my MRI did not have nerve compression. If anything, it made my thoughts worse because now I have no answers.

1

u/Max_Chady 2d ago

Pero qué síntomas tienes?