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A member asked:
My emg shows pinched nerves in l5-s1 region but the mri is negative. how is this possible?
4 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
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...
Answered 6/10/2014
5.7k views
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.
Answered 4/25/2019
5.7k views
Related Questions
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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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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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