When Would a Doctor Recommend Nerve Conduction Testing?

If you’re dealing with unexplained pain, numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness, your doctor may suggest nerve conduction testing.

It’s one of the tests we use at Coastal Spine, with five New Jersey locations, to answer questions about your nerve health and function. That helps us diagnose underlying nerve-related conditions that may cause chronic pain or affect your mobility.

Here’s what you should know about why the test might be necessary, the conditions it helps diagnose, and what to expect during and after the test.

What’s nerve conduction testing?

Nerve conduction testing is a diagnostic tool that evaluates how well the nerves in your body send electrical signals. That’s essential since your brain relies on these signals to sense pain, move muscles, and perform other nerve-related actions.

During the test, we place small electrodes on the skin over specific nerves in the area we’re evaluating. The electrodes deliver mild electrical impulses, and sensors measure how quickly and effectively the nerves respond.

It might sound intimidating, but the procedure is generally well-tolerated. Patients often describe the sensation from the mild electrical pulses as a brief tingling or tapping.

The results give your doctor valuable insight into whether your nerves function properly or if there’s damage slowing down the signals.

Why would a doctor recommend nerve conduction testing?

Nerve conduction testing isn’t something every patient needs. Your doctor typically orders it when they suspect nerve-related issues that they can’t fully explain by a physical exam or imaging alone.

Common reasons include:

Persistent numbness or tingling

If you frequently experience pins-and-needles or loss of sensation in your hands, arms, legs, or feet, nerve conduction testing helps identify whether a nerve is compressed, irritated, or damaged.

Unexplained muscle weakness

Weakness that doesn’t seem to result from joint or muscle problems may point to a nerve issue. Nerve conduction testing helps determine if the weakness is due to poor nerve signaling.

Suspected nerve compression syndrome

Conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome or cubital tunnel syndrome occur when nerves are pinched in narrow passages of the wrist or elbow. Nerve conduction testing confirms whether compression is present and determines its severity.

Diagnosing peripheral neuropathy

Patients with diabetes, autoimmune disorders, or certain vitamin deficiencies may develop peripheral neuropathy. This condition develops when peripheral nerves are damaged. Nerve conduction testing helps measure the extent of the damage.

Evaluating injuries

Trauma, such as fractures or dislocations, can injure surrounding nerves. Testing provides a clear picture of how the nerves are healing and whether further treatment is needed.

Guiding treatment plans

Sometimes nerve conduction testing isn’t just for diagnosis, but also to guide treatment.

For example, knowing whether a nerve is mildly irritated or severely damaged helps your doctor recommend the best next steps. That could be physical therapy, medications, injections, or surgery.

What happens after the test?

Once the results are available, your doctor reviews them alongside your symptoms, medical history, and any imaging studies.

Together, this information creates a more complete picture of your condition and helps form a personalized treatment plan. At Coastal Spine, we perform nerve conduction testing in the office, and results are available the same day.

Nerve conduction testing is a safe, effective way to uncover hidden causes of pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness. Our ultimate goal is to find precise answers that lead to better treatment for your symptoms.

Take the next step by scheduling an evaluation at Coastal Spine today. Call the office or request an appointment online.