Editing Electromyography (section)

==Clinical uses==
EMG testing has a variety of clinical and biomedical applications. Needle EMG is used as a diagnostics tool for identifying [[neuromuscular diseases]],<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Paoletti |first1=Michele |last2=Belli |first2=Alberto |last3=Palma |first3=Lorenzo |last4=Pierleoni |first4=Paola |date=December 2020 |title=Electromyography Pattern Likelihood Analysis for Flexion-Relaxation Phenomenon Evaluation |journal=Electronics |language=en |volume=9 |issue=12 |pages=2046 |doi=10.3390/electronics9122046 |issn=2079-9292|doi-access=free |hdl=11566/290990 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> or as a research tool for studying [[kinesiology]], and disorders of motor control. EMG signals are sometimes used to guide [[Botox|botulinum toxin]] or phenol injections into muscles. Surface EMG is used for functional diagnosis and during instrumental motion analysis. EMG signals are also used as a control signal for [[prosthetic]] devices such as prosthetic hands, arms and lower limbs.{{citation needed|date=December 2021}}

An [[acceleromyograph]] may be used for [[neuromuscular monitoring]] in general anesthesia with [[neuromuscular-blocking drug]]s, in order to avoid [[postoperative residual curarization]].<ref>Harvey, A. M.; Masland, R. L. ''Actions of durarizing preparations in the human.'' Journal of Pharmacology And Experimental Therapeutics, Vol. 73, Issue 3, 304–311, 1941.</ref><ref>{{cite journal |pmid=13268466|year=1955 |title=Comparison of simultaneously recorded electrical and mechanical activity in myasthenia gravis patients and in partially curarized normal humans|journal=The American Journal of Medicine|volume=19|issue=5|pages=693–6|doi=10.1016/S0002-9343(55)80010-1|last1=Botelho |first1=Stella Y. }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |pmid=13526270|year=1958 |title=The St. Thomas's Hospital nerve stimulator in the diagnosis of prolonged apnoea|journal=Lancet |volume=1|issue=7024|pages=776 |doi=10.1016/S0140-6736(58)91583-6|last1=Christie |first1=T.H. |last2=Churchill-Davidson |first2=H.C. }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |pmid=2522790|year=1989|last1=Engbaek|first1=J.|title=Double burst stimulation (DBS): A new pattern of nerve stimulation to identify residual neuromuscular block|journal=British Journal of Anaesthesia|volume=62|issue=3|pages=274–8|last2=Ostergaard|first2=D.|last3=Viby-Mogensen|first3=J.|s2cid=32733775|doi=10.1093/bja/62.3.274|doi-access=free}}</ref>

Except in the case of some purely primary myopathic conditions EMG is usually performed with another [[electrodiagnostic medicine]] test that measures the conducting function of nerves. This is called [[nerve conduction study]] (NCS). Needle EMG and NCSs are typically indicated when there is pain in the limbs, weakness from spinal [[nerve compression]], or concern about some other neurologic injury or disorder.<ref name="NASSfive">{{Citation |author1=North American Spine Society |title=Five Things Physicians and Patients Should Question |date=February 2013 |work=[[Choosing Wisely]]: an initiative of the [[ABIM Foundation]] |url=http://www.choosingwisely.org/doctor-patient-lists/north-american-spine-society/ |access-date=25 March 2013 |publisher=North American Spine Society |author1-link=North American Spine Society}}, which cites

* {{cite journal |last=Sandoval |first=A. E. |date=November 2010 |title=Electrodiagnostics for low back pain |journal=Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics of North America |volume=21 |issue=4 |pages=767–776 |doi=10.1016/j.pmr.2010.06.007 |pmid=20977959}}
* {{cite book |author=North American Spine Society |author-link=North American Spine Society |url=http://www.guideline.gov/content.aspx?id=34839 |title=Diagnosis and treatment of degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis |publisher=[[Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality]] |year=2011 |location=[[Burr Ridge, Illinois]] |access-date=2014-03-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325190820/http://www.guideline.gov/content.aspx?id=34839 |archive-date=2014-03-25 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Spinal nerve injury does not cause neck, mid back pain or [[low back pain]], and for this reason, evidence has not shown EMG or NCS to be helpful in diagnosing causes of axial lumbar pain, thoracic pain, or [[Cervical spine disorder|cervical spine pain]].<ref name="NASSfive"/> Needle EMG may aid with the diagnosis of nerve compression or injury (such as [[carpal tunnel syndrome]]), nerve root injury (such as sciatica), and with other problems of the muscles or nerves. Less common medical conditions include [[amyotrophic lateral sclerosis]], [[myasthenia gravis]], and [[muscular dystrophy]].{{citation needed|date=December 2021}}