What is a nerve conduction test and when do I need one?

If you are in an Ottawa car accident and suffer injuries, you may undergo a nerve conduction test.  A nerve conduction study is one of the many different medical tests that can be used to assess the extent of an individual’s injuries following a personal injury accident.  This particular test is performed by neurologists to evaluate things such as numbness, tingling, burning or weakness of the arms and legs.  The purpose of a nerve conduction test is to evaluate nerve damage in order to determine treatment.  A nerve conduction test helps to determine the site of nerve injury and the cause of an individual’s symptoms.

A nerve conduction test is done by placing electrodes on an individual’s legs or arms (depending on where the injury occurred and where numbness, tingling, etc. is felt).  These electrodes stimulate the nerves and the doctor can then record the time it takes for the signal to reach another point in the body.  Nerves that are functioning properly transmit signals at a certain speed so by comparing an injured person’s nerve responses to what is considered “normal”, neurologists can assess the extent of the individual’s nerve damage.  Results of nerve conduction tests are complex and vary from person to person, but essentially, neurologists look for changes in the speed of nerve conduction.  If a person’s nerve response is slower than normal, it is likely that nerve damage is present.

Because nerve conduction tests are highly scientific and specialized, it would be difficult to provide a detailed explanation of them here.  Essentially, if you are experiencing changes in the feeling of our limbs after an Ottawa accident, it is possible that you have some nerve damage.  It is important to receive personalized medical care in order to determine the cause and extent of your injuries.  The information provided here is meant to provide you with a general introduction to nerve conduction tests and to inform you of the many kinds of injuries and treatments involved in personal injury accidents.

If you have been injured in an Ottawa accident, be sure to seek medical attention for your injuries.  In addition, you should consult an experienced personal injury lawyer who can determine if you have a legal case to pursue.  It is possible that you may be eligible for financial compensation for the injuries you incurred.  Contact the Ottawa personal injury lawyers at Auger Hollingsworth for a free consultation.

About the Author: Brenda Hollingsworth

Brenda Hollingsworth co-founded Ottawa’s Auger Hollingsworth in 2005 with her husband Richard Auger. Together, their mission was to create a personal injury law firm for Eastern Ontario that is unrivalled in the province for customer service and legal expertise. Brenda was named an Ottawa Business Journal Forty Under 40 award recipient and took home the Women’s Business Network’s Businesswoman of the Year award in the Professional category. She was also recognized as one of Ottawa Life Magazine’s “Top 50 People in the Capital.” She is often quoted as an expert and has appeared in media outlets such as CTV, The Globe and Mail, National Post, Ottawa Citizen, Sun Media, CBC, Toronto Star, Montreal Gazette, CFRA and many legal publications.

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