Nerve Conduction Studies and Workers’ Compensation Injuries

Many types of work injuries, such as disc herniations that impinge on nerves, carpal tunnel syndrome, or ulnar neuropathy can cause nerve damage or insufficiencies.

A nerve conduction study is often done to evaluate paresthesias (numbness, tingling, burning) and or/weakness of the arms and legs. Some common disorders which can be diagnosed by nerve conduction studies are peripheral neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, ulnar neuropathy, Guillain-Barré syndrome, Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy, and spinal disc herniation.

During a nerve conduction study, specific nerves are stimulated and the study records their ability to send the impulse to the muscle. The study can show where there is damage to or a blockage of the nerve pathway. This can help isolate the location of abnormal sensations, such as numbness, tingling, or pain.

In the study, several flat metal disc electrodes are taped or pasted to your skin. A shock-emitting electrode is placed directly over the nerve to be studied. A recording electrode is placed over the muscles supplied by that nerve. Several, brief electrical pulses are sent to the nerve. You will feel a brief, burning pain, a tingling sensation and a twitching of the muscle when the electrical pulse is applied. It feels like the tingling you feel when you rub your feet on the carpet then touch a metal object. Each pulse is very brief (less than a millisecond).

The time it takes the muscle to contract in response to the electrical pulse is recorded. The speed of the response is called the conduction velocity. Nerve conduction studies show whether the nerves transmit electrical impulses to the muscles or up the sensory nerves at normal speeds (conduction velocities). Sensory nerves allow the brain to respond to pain, touch, temperature and vibration. Different nerves have different normal conduction velocities.

The results of a nerve conduction study can help diagnose a work-related injury. If the workers’ compensation insurer is denying payment for a nerve conduction study, if they are denying pre-approval for an appointment, or if you have sustained carpal tunnel syndrome, a disc herniation, ulnar neuropathy, or any other work related nerve injury, give us a call at 877-746-5680 or click here to send us an email to schedule a free consultation.

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