Diagnostic Tests

Once your neurologist has established which type of nerve damage you are suffering from you may go on to have a series of tests:

Blood tests

Blood sugars (to check for diabetes), thyroid function, vitamin B12 levels, and a few other blood tests that look for a cause of the nerve damage.

Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCS)

This is a specialised test whereby the nerves are stimulated and the responses are recorded. This is the NCS part. For the EMG part a small acupuncture style needle is inserted into several muscles consecutively and the quality of the muscle fibres can be assessed.

MRI of spine

If following the history and examination it is felt that your symptoms are generated from your neck or back your neurologist will most likely recommend for you to have an MRI of either the top part of your spine (cervical) or bottom part (lumbosacral).

Lumbar puncture

In a small number of scenarios you may need to have a lumbar puncture. This is a procedure whereby a sample of fluid surrounding your brain and spinal cord is taken by inserting a needle in the lower part of your back- for a more detailed description see section on diagnostic tests in neurology.