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A 39-year-old member asked:

My emg shows pinched nerves in l5-s1 region but the mri is negative. how is this possible?

2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
Dr. Luis Villaplana
Dr. Luis Villaplanaanswered
Internal Medicine 37 years experience
THE MRI IS NOT: The absolute, ultimate diagnostic test. It can rule out a lot of things but it can miss subtle problems that are bad enough to cause your EMG results. Please also remember that the cause of the EMG abnormality may not be arising from the spine...
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5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
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Dr. Michele Arnold
Dr. Michele Arnoldanswered
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 24 years experience
Complementary...: The MRI shows a picture of the vertebrae and discs, but it does not show how the nerves are functioning. The two tests are complementary: one shows structure and the other shows function. A pinched L5 or s1 nerve does not always mean it is trapped by a disc or bone spur-- it may get damaged or pinched intermittently when your spine moves, or may have incurred stretch damage.
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5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
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Dr. Bennett Machanic
Dr. Carl Decker
Dr. Bennett Machanic and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

Related questions

A 43-year-old female asked:
MRI shows Minimal diffuse disc bulge at L5-S1 and Mild anterior left S1 nerve root flattening. Pain is intermittent and ranges from severe days to nothing. If this is minimal is the reason it caused that much pain Because its flattening a nerve?
3 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
A 30-year-old female asked:
L5 S1 anteriorlisthesis causing spinal stenosis and pinched nerve.I had an emg and ncv but they were normal.could this still b causing my leg tingling?
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A 41-year-old female asked:
I have L5-S1 herniated disc with year long left calf pain.Emg/nerve study result was normal. I took gabapentin for the first time and the calf pain is gone. Does it mean my pain is from nerve? If so,how to fix nerve damage that doesn't show on test?
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A 57-year-old female asked:
I have MS and spinal stenosis. Emg shows l5-l4-s1 compression of nerve root. Orthopaedic surgeon won't do the surgery without neurologist ok.?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
A 30-year-old male asked:
Discomfort when i sit.mild right leg pain.MRI shows small l5-s1 protrusion causing impression on right nerve root.Is physiotherapy enough? will it heal?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Last updated Apr 25, 2019

Found in:

Nerve›Acute brachial plexus injury (stinger)›Electromyography

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