Electromyography (EMG) is recording the electrical activity of muscles. EMG is a form of intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring (IONM). EMG recordings are typically done to monitor nerves and the integrity of nerves, including cranial nerves.
Normally, EMG involves placing several needles into the muscles that will be examined. Almost any muscle can be monitored. The responses are recorded and also displayed on a screen. If there are any changes in muscle electrical activity, those changes can be seen and heard.
EMG is used in a number of surgical procedures. It is commonly used in any procedures in which the facial nerve is at risk or another cranial nerve is at risk. It can also be used in placing pedicle screws as part of spinal surgery, treating cerebral palsy surgically, and tethered spinal cord release.
The purpose of EMG is to help guide the surgeon in real time, in order to let him or her know if there are any changes in the muscles and nerves, which can help indicate a problem. EMG during surgery has become increasingly popular over the last couple of decades. In most cases, there are few drawbacks but can be big rewards.
As with any medical procedure, EMG does not always function exactly as intended. In fact, there have been some court cases in which a patient who was harmed during a surgery that was being monitored by IONM. Patients who are harmed during surgery that is monitored by IONM may be able to recover compensation, if they can prove that their harm was caused by medical malpractice.
Call me, Conal Doyle, IONM attorney, if you have been harmed during a surgery that was being monitored by intraoperative monitoring. You may be able to recover compensation for your damages. Call today at 310-385-0567. We can help.