Monitoring of neural function: Electromyography, nerve conduction, and evoked potentials. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2016. In: Bradley's Neurology in Clinical Practice. If it persists, contact your primary care doctor. This bruising should fade within several days. You may experience some temporary, minor bruising where the needle electrode was inserted into your muscle. If you're concerned about discomfort or pain at any time during the exam, you may want to talk to the neurologist about taking a short break. Depending on what muscles and nerves the neurologist is examining, he or she may ask you to change positions during the exam. He or she will give you instructions on resting and contracting a muscle at appropriate times. The needle electrode may cause discomfort or pain that usually ends shortly after the needle is removed.ĭuring the needle EMG, the neurologist will assess whether there is any spontaneous electrical activity when the muscle is at rest - activity that isn't present in healthy muscle tissue - and the degree of activity when you slightly contract the muscle. When the study is underway, the surface electrodes will at times transmit a tiny electrical current that you may feel as a twinge or spasm.