Nerve conduction test on my legs. Electromyography.

[1ChLoE]

Has anyone had this test? I have an electromyography on the 9th February. I have osteoporosis and lumber fractures. Having many problems with nerve pain in my hips and legs, also back pain making walking and standing extremely difficult. Any information would be helpful. Thank you

[Fruitandnutcase]

I haven’t had that test but I’ve had a huge problem with nerve pains through my buttocks, hips and legs as well as what feels like deep muscular pain and a low back pain that felt as if someone had whacked me over the sacrum with an iron bar. That area was agony and when I finally tipped over in the garden and landed on my tailbone I could barely walk and had to crawl upstairs on my hands and knees.

After being in so much pain and being unable to get anywhere with my GP I saw a physiotherapist privately and was referred for private MRI scans. The lumbar scan showed which I had first showed up a lot of nasty problems which are probably long standing but the sacrum / pelvic scan I had the following week showed that I had a SIF - which is exactly what I was convinced was the problem.

So if I were you I would read up about sacral insufficiency fractures - there are lots of papers about it online - and then if the description fits what you are feeling mention it to your doctors - you might need to be quite firm about it. It seems to be one of those conditions that is overlooked and yet the symptoms are quite obvious.

[1ChLoE in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Thank you for your reply. I will have a read up about sacral insufficiency. Sounds interesting.

[veriterc]

I have had three EMG tests. First one in 2003 was painful I complained and net two were perfectly OK; I just relaxed and chatted to technicianHowever, they need a hig level person to analyse them; make sure you know who is going to talk you through findings.

[1ChLoE in reply to veriterc]

Hi Thank you for your reply. As I live in Spain I have no idea who will read my test. I must say I’m not looking forward to the test, but hoping it will explain why I am having so many problems.

[veriterc in reply to 1ChLoE]

You are very lucky to live in Spain; from what I have experienced they know far more about our medical conditions than the NHS. I my job I travelled around Europe and chose to be treated there, rather than in UK, as general standard was far higher; the NHS is NOT the envy of the world - that is an advertising slogan! Don't worry about the test; today you sit in front of a technician who points a pointer at different parts of your body - it doesn't hurt at all and takes about 90 minutes.

[1ChLoE in reply to veriterc]

We are very lucky to live here. The standard of health care I have received have been very good. I started having problems with various joints and within a week I was seeing a rheumatologist. This has continued. The pandemic slowed things down but it didn’t stop. Thank you for the reassurance.

[veriterc]

You obviously live in an area where your NHS trust has sufficient rheumatologists. But some areas don't have enough - here we would wait at least six months for a first appointment!

[CDreamer in reply to veriterc]

They live in Spain - much better health service.

[beckyiswell]

I had a serious fall on ice, landing right on the tailbone. I got a cortisone injection in my coccyx and then started a physical therapy procedure called dry needling. Dry needling uses very thin needles (similar to acupuncture, but the needles are longer) to be stuck into the muscles that are "knotted up" to release them. The procedure is somewhat painful when the needle hits the knot in the muscle, but as soon as it releases, the pain is gone.

I sat on my couch and couldn't walk for a few months until I started having this type of therapy. I walked into my first appointment hunched over like a very aged person, and walked out standing pretty (not completely) straight and in very little pain. After a few months, I was in great shape!

You may also benefit from medical massage.

[1ChLoE in reply to beckyiswell]

I’m very reluctant to have any massage owing to the severe osteoporosis in my spine. In two and a half years I now a have 6 spinal fractures. But thank you for your the reply