Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS)
NCS are tests of the speed of conduction of impulses through a nerve. A doctor or technician performs the tests, sometimes with the help of a nurse.
The nerve is stimulated, usually with patch-like electrodes placed on the skin. One electrode stimulates the nerve with a very mild electrical impulse and the other electrodes record the resulting electrical activity.
The impulse will feel like a small electric shock. Depending on how strong the stimulus is you will feel it to varying degrees and it may be uncomfortable for you. However, it is short lived and has no lasting effects.
This test is used to diagnose nerve damage. Information from the test can tell the doctor what part of the nerve is damaged and give an idea what is causing the damage. There are no risks from this test.
The test will need to be interpreted afterwards so the results will not be available at the time of the test but will be sent to the referring doctor.
Document Downloads
- Nerve Conduction Studies: Patient Information (PDF, 24.9 KB)
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