Electromyography and Neuromuscular

You will add key electrodiagnostic skills to your expertise and increase your understanding of disease processes as they relate to electromyography.

You will observe nerve conduction studies (NCS) and needle electrode examinations (NEE) and learn to discern abnormalities that indicate common neuromuscular disorders, including:

• carpal tunnel syndrome
• cervical and lumbar radiculopathy
• peripheral neuropathy
• myasthenia gravis
• motor neuron disease

You also will participate in analyzing and interpreting data leading to electrodiagnostic impressions, learning to distinguish the following:

• radiculopathy
• plexopathy
• neuropathy
• neuromuscular junction disorders
• myopathies

You will build basic skills needed to operate EMG equipment and conduct simple nerve conduction velocity and EMG studies.

As you develop competence, you will learn the parameters to define the following:

• fibrillation positive sharp waves
• fasciculation
• high frequency repetitive discharges
• myotonic discharges

As you build technical skill, you will learn to accurately record the following:

• H reflexes from soleus muscles
• F responses from median, ulnar, tibial innervated muscles
• motor nerve conduction studies in median, ulnar, peroneal and tibial nerves
• sensory nerve conduction studies of median, ulnar, sural and superficial radial nerves

You also will develop your ability to deftly incorporate electrodiagnostics into a comprehensive process that also involves:

• planning tests in response to clinical complaints and physical examination
• gathering relevant, essential patient histories
• screening for potential contraindications to performing either the NCS or NEE

Our robust didactic program includes an EMG lecture series and other relevant lectures in clinical neurophysiology. You will learn to apply this crucial background knowledge to nerve conduction studies and needle electromyography.

Through virtual and hands-on learning, you will develop an in-depth knowledge of the anatomy of the peripheral nervous system, including root origins, structure and muscles innervated by nerves. You will learn via the Animated Dissection of Anatomy for Medicine software and videos as well as experiences in our Gross Anatomy Laboratory.

Through our daily Electromyography Case Conference, you will review classic EMG studies and gain additional exposure to studies of the autonomic nervous system, learning from a neuromuscular staff member or fellow.

You also will participate in our Neuromuscular Conference each week, joining with clinical neurophysiology fellows for faculty-led sessions on neuromuscular disease or electromyography, a muscle biopsy conference and a neuromuscular journal club.

You will gain broad exposure to child and adult patients — from newborns to 90-year-olds — with diverse acute and chronic neurological disorders, including:

• muscle disorders, myopathies and muscular dystrophy
• disorders of neuromuscular junction
• polyneuropathy (axonal, demyelinating and sensory/motor/autonomic)
• mononeuritis multiplex
• entrapment neuropathy
• plexopathy
• radiculopathy
• anterior horn cell disorders, motor neuron disease and spinal muscular atrophy

You will encounter patients of variable socioeconomic backgrounds.

• neuromuscular specialists
• neuromuscular fellows
• EMG technicians

You will observe at least 10 neurophysiological studies, including at least two of the following types of needle conduction or examination studies:

• lower extremity
• upper extremity
• polyneuropathy
• motor neuron disease
• neuromuscular junction

You also will perform nerve conduction, F response and H reflex studies independently in three arms and three legs of normal subjects.