☰ Menu
☰ Menu
Our body works through a series of partnerships in which each partner has to do its job. For example, when you’re eating, your teeth must chew the food, then pass it on to the throat for swallowing. If the teeth don’t do their job, the throat will find its job much more complicated, even impossible, and this breakdown in the partnership can have serious consequences.
Neuromuscular treatments focus on one of the most important partnerships in the body: the essential cooperation between nerves and muscles. When this partnership isn’t working, you can experience significant complications, including muscle weakness, dysfunction, and pain. Dr. Justin Grant uses neuromuscular techniques like a nerve conduction study (NCS) and pin electromyography (EMG) to find places where this partnership has broken down. Then, he can determine the best approach to restoring your nerve function and relieving your pain.
Nerve conduction studies (NCS), sometimes called nerve conduction velocity (NCV) tests, measure how well electrical impulses pass through nerves by measuring the speed and strength loss along a nerve path. When nerves are damaged, impulses pass slower and weaker.
In NCS, we will put electrodes along a nerve path. One electrode will put out an electric signal, which passes through the nerve to the other electrode. We record how fast the signal travels and how weaker it is at the reception point than at the start.
In electromyography (EMG), we test how well your muscles respond to the impulses that control them. In this test, a small pin is inserted into the muscle to detect electrical activity. First, the EMG detects electrical activity when the muscle is at rest. Ideally, there shouldn’t be any. If there is some, that could be a sign that there’s a problem in the muscle. Then, Dr. Grant will ask you to perform specific movements, measuring the activity in the muscle as you perform the actions. Based on the electrical signals in the muscle, Dr. Grant can tell if the muscle is healthy or in need of treatment.
With neuromuscular treatments, we can address several significant neuromuscular conditions. Note that these are different from degenerative neuromuscular diseases like muscular dystrophy. The conditions we treat are typically related to mechanical disarrangement or damage to nerves and muscles rather than nerve degeneration.
As a result of carpal tunnel syndrome, you might experience
In its early stages, this condition responds well to home treatments. A wrist splint can help relieve pressure on the nerve. Anti-inflammatory medications, including over-the-counter (OTC) medications like ibuprofen and naproxen, can reduce nerve swelling to help control symptoms. Avoiding activities that irritate your nerves can give time for your swelling to go down.
If the condition is too advanced for this approach, hand surgery can reduce pressure on the nerve.
The ulnar nerve travels down the back of and inside the arm from the shoulder to the hand. The ulnar nerve carries signals to and from the ring and little fingers, as well as parts of the palm and the underside of the forearm.
This nerve can get trapped at several points along its path, which can lead to:
As with carpal tunnel syndrome, you may be able to treat this condition at home by avoiding activities that irritate the ulnar nerve. One easy one to avoid is leaning on your elbow. OTC medications can also help.
Advanced ulnar nerve entrapment may require surgical treatment.
A dislocated knee is the most common cause of peroneal nerve injury, accounting for up to 40% of cases.
Mild peroneal nerve injury can cause numbness, tingling, pain, and weakness. When the injury is severe, it causes a condition known as “foot drop,” in which you can’t lift your foot upward at the ankle.
Radiculopathy occurs when the spine compresses a nerve root. When the compression is relatively minor, you might experience muscle weakness and impaired reflexes. As the condition worsens, it can also lead to pain that radiates out from the site of the compression.
In cervical radiculopathy, the compressed nerve stem is in the neck. You’ll see symptoms in your arms, chest, shoulders, and upper back.
The compressed nerve stems are in your lower back in lumbar radiculopathy, sometimes called lumbosacral radiculopathy and sciatica. These nerves can cause pain in your lower back and legs.
Early forms of these conditions can be treated with support and medications. More advanced cases, including spine surgery, may require surgery.
If you are experiencing numbness, weakness, or tingling in any of your limbs, you might be experiencing a neuromuscular condition. Most of these conditions will worsen unless properly treated, ultimately requiring surgery. However, when treated in a timely manner, you can often manage them with inexpensive home care. Neuromuscular testing by Dr. Grant can help you identify your condition and determine an appropriate treatment.
Please contact us today to get neuromuscular testing and treatment. Colorado Advanced Orthopedics serves patients in Meeker, the White River Valley, and throughout the Western Slope.