Electromyography

Table of Contents

Introduction

Electromyography is the study ofΒ motor unit activity,Β which provides information onΒ structure and function of of motor units.

Motor unit

The motor unit is ofΒ one anterior horn cell, one axon, its neuromuscular junctions, and all the muscle fibers innervated by the axon.

Electromyography is a technique by which the action potential of contracting muscle and motor units are recorded and displayed. Recording the EMG required a three-phase system :

  • An input phase
  • A processor phase
  • An output phase

Types of Electromyography

  • Diagnostic Electromyography

It is used to the study Diseases of muscle, neuromuscular junction, and nerve. It is used for the purpose of electrodiagnosis.

  • Kinesiology electromyography

It is used in the study of muscle activity and to establish the role of various muscles in specific movements. Kinesiology electromyography is beneficial for producing the objective means for documenting the effects of treatment on the muscle impairments.

Components of Electromyography

The components of electromyography apparatus are:

    1. Electrode

  • They pick up the electric signal from contracting muscle . The electrode used in this phase are of different types :

Surface Electrode

  • It is made up of small disc of metal , silver and AgCl and 3 to 5 mm

Process

Β The fixed on skin with tape or collar and gel is used beneath surface electrode. If there is bipolar arrangement , then two electrode

      1. Fine wire andΒ  electrode

        • It used for small and deep muscle . Made up of coating of nylon insulating with polyurethane needle of 100 mm wire.
      2. Needle electrode

It is used for single motor unit . It have three types

        1. Concentric needle
        2. Monopolar
        3. Bipolar needle
    1. Amplifier system

      • It amplifier the small myoelectrical signal to the electric potential
      • It cancelled out unwanted noise which is static electrical activity in the the air.
      • Power line
      • This is used in processor phase .
    2. Display system

This is used in output phase . A device is used to convert electrical signal to visual or audible signal . this is used for analysing the data.

Use of electromyography

  1. Detecting muscle action potential in different stage of contraction
  2. Peripheral nerve lesions

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