Having a Nerve Conduction Study

Having a Nerve Conduction Study

Patient Information

Bespoke Healthcare

• Author ID:           SR 
• Leaflet Ref:         Musc 001 
• Version:              3
• Leaflet title:         Having a Nerve Conduction Study 
• Date Produced:   June 2023 
• Expiry Date:        June 2025

Introduction

Wrightington Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust utilises the services of Bespoke Healthcare Ltd to provide its Nerve Conduction Study (NCS) testing. 

Bespoke Healthcare integrates seamlessly with our hospitals, with all clinics run by Bespoke Healthcare being delivered at one of the WWL NHS Trust sites.  This ensures a local service provision for you as a patient, to make sure you do not have far to travel for your neurophysiological investigation. 

Bespoke Healthcare is fully registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the independent regulator of health and adult social care in England.  The CQC makes sure health and social care services provide people with safe, effective, compassionate, and high-quality care when required.

What to expect at your NCS appointment

You will have an NCS test that will measure how well the nerves are working.  It involves stimulating a nerve at different points and recording a response.  The number of nerves and / or muscles tested will depend upon your presenting symptoms, the questions your consultant has asked Bespoke Healthcare and the findings during the testing procedure. 

What will happen during the test?

The physician places small surface electrodes onto your skin (of the leg or arm to be examined). You will receive small electrical impulses (on the leg or arm to be tested), so that the physician can evaluate the nerves.  Patients who have used a TENS machine find the experience to be quite similar. The test does not carry quantifiable side effects.

Patients who require an Electromyogram (EMG),for testing how well muscles are working, will require a recording of the signal from the muscle by using a very fine pin. This is a safe test which, apart from some mild discomfort and at times minor bruising, does not carry any major complications.

How to prepare for the test

No special preparation is required. You do not need to restrict your diet prior to your test and you do not need to stop any regular medication unless advised to do so by the referring consultant.  

• It would be useful if you could wear loose clothing. For testing the hands or arms, long sleeves should be loose enough to be pulled well above the elbow. For testing the legs, the trousers should be loose enough to be pulled well above the knees. Some people wear or bring shorts with them to allow this. 

• Please do not apply moisturising cream for 24 hours prior to your appointment. 

• If you have a pacemaker fitted, it is important that you inform us prior to your appointment by telephoning 01772 700629.

• Please bring a list of any current medications with you to the appointment.

• Inform the consultant if you take blood-thinning medication such as Warfarin and bring the associated medicine information leaflet with you.

How long will the test take? 

Please allow between 30-60 minutes for the whole procedure.

Data Protection

Bespoke Healthcare will only use your personal data for the purpose of undertaking and reporting on your investigation.  Your data will be stored in line with the Records Management code of practice for Health and Social Care 2016. 

Should you have any queries with regards to how Bespoke Healthcare will use and store your data, please contact them on 01772 700629.


www.bespokehealthcare.co.uk/neurophysiology/