Can An EMG Test Be Conducted On Any Part Of The Body?

Posted on Fri, 22 Aug 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 22 Aug 2014 Answered on

Fri, 12 Sep 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Can an EMG test conducted on any Part of the body say the arms measure muscle function for my entire body? Is it only specific to that limb Or must I have the test done on all of my limbs if ALS is a distant possibility?

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It is not necessary to test muscle of all limbs.

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a motor neuron disease (MND) and it causes degeneration of the upper and lower motor neurons that ultimately lead to muscle weakness and atrophy throughout the body,so any muscle of limbs can be tested for its diagnosis.
It is not necessary to test muscle of all limbs.

Get well soon.
Hope i have answered your query.
Further queries are most welcome.

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar