Electrodiagnostic techniques in the evaluation of nerve compressions and injuries in the upper limb

Nerve conduction studies and the needle examination of muscles (EMG) are valuable aids in the evaluation of acute and chronic focal neuropathies. A careful clinical examination, however, remains the best way to assess patients with these disorders. In an acute and apparently complete nerve lesion, the main drawbacks of electrophysiologic testing are that a full evaluation cannot usually be done before 10 days after the injury, and the differentiation between axonotmesis and neurotmesis cannot be made.