I didn't really know what to expect so for those of you who are interested--the Nerve Conduction Study checks the nerves and little wires are attached in various places on the feet and ankles one at a time and you feel a shock. Apparently the machine is able to distinguish between a normal rate for the shock to travel and a rate that indicates a problem with a nerve.
The EMG is a little more uncomfortable.--it checks the muscles. A little needle is put under your skin and something is moved around a bit. They check a number of places in the foot in this manner.
I belong to Kaiser and the doc who did the test didn't really explain much. I felt like he would rather be any place than doing the test.
However, my podiatrist called with the results. He said that I did not have TTS, but I had a "peripheral neuropathy." He didn't say much more--I kept questioning him and basically it sounds like there is not cure for a peripheral neuropathy--absolutely nothing he can do for me. I thought I might have TTS because I often have pain that starts at my ankle and radiates up my leg. He didn't say, but somewhere I read that TTS doesn't necessarily show up on these tests.
Any information anyone has regarding "peripheral neuropathy" would be greatly appreciated.
Oh yes, he did say that the reason I find Birkenstocks so painul is because of my peripheral neuropathy. (I'm adding to my vocabulary--a year ago I had never heard of plantar fasciitis or peripheral neuropathy, much less be able to spell them!)
Sue
spider-wb052.proxy.aol.com 17:02:30