Muscular problems do not always originate where the pain is felt. Increased muscle tension, muscular imbalances, or altered neuromuscular control can, for example, play a role in recurrent symptoms and functional problems of the musculoskeletal system.
At ROC Ortho, electromyography (EMG) allows us to measure and objectively visualize the electrical activity of selected muscles. This test complements orthopedic diagnostics, particularly when we want to assess muscle function, lateral differences, and movement patterns more precisely.
At the ROC in Aschheim near Munich, we use non-invasive surface electromyography for this purpose. Muscle activity is recorded via electrodes placed on the skin—without needles and without penetrating the tissue.
Electromyography is a diagnostic procedure used to measure electrical muscle activity. When a muscle is activated, electrical signals are generated. These signals can be recorded using EMG and displayed as electromyograms. In surface EMG, electrodes are placed on the skin over the muscles being examined. This allows us, for example, to assess how active certain muscles are at rest, how strongly they are activated during targeted contraction, and how they work together during specific movements. We always interpret the measurement results in conjunction with your symptoms and the findings of the orthopedic examination.
Electromyography can complement orthopedic diagnosis if we suspect that muscular imbalances or abnormalities in muscle activation are contributing to your symptoms.
An EMG test may be useful, for example, in the following cases:
Even in cases of long-standing symptoms, a functional examination can be helpful if imaging tests alone cannot explain why pain occurs during certain movements.
Surface electromyography allows us to examine various aspects of muscle activity.
First, the electrical activity of selected muscles can be recorded at rest. This makes it possible, for example, to identify differences between various muscle groups or between the right and left sides of the body.
However, an abnormal finding does not automatically mean that it is the cause of your symptoms. The results are therefore always evaluated in conjunction with the physical examination.
Next, we can examine how muscle activity changes during targeted contraction. Comparing different muscles or both sides of the body can provide clues about differences in activation.
Measurements taken during standardized movement sequences are particularly interesting. This allows us to assess when certain muscles are activated and how different muscle groups work together during a movement.
This provides us with additional information about the functional stress on the musculoskeletal system.
Before the measurement, we’ll first discuss your symptoms. For example, we’ll ask when the pain occurs, which movements cause problems, and whether there are certain activities that make the symptoms worse. We’ll then select the muscle groups to be examined for the specific issue at hand.
To perform the measurement, small electrodes are placed on the skin over the relevant muscles. The examination can then be carried out in several steps:
The measurement data is then analyzed and reviewed in conjunction with your orthopedic findings.
The surface electromyography used at ROC Ortho is noninvasive. The electrodes are simply attached to the skin. No needles are inserted into the muscle, and the tissue is not damaged. The actual measurement of muscle activity is therefore painless. This is an important difference from needle electromyography, which is used particularly in neurological diagnostics.
The term “electromyography” is used to describe various diagnostic procedures. In surface EMG, the electrical activity of a muscle is recorded via electrodes placed on the skin. At the ROC, we use this form of electromyography primarily for the functional assessment of muscle activity, lateral differences, and movement patterns. In needle electromyography, on the other hand, a thin needle electrode is inserted directly into the muscle. This procedure is used primarily for neurological issues, such as the further evaluation of certain nerve and muscle disorders. Therefore, surface EMG at the ROC does not replace neurological needle EMG when a corresponding neurological issue is present.
EMG measurement provides us with additional insight into muscle function. While X-rays or MRIs, for example, primarily show anatomical or structural changes, surface EMG provides information about how specific muscles are actually activated.
The study's characteristics include:
Electromyography is not a diagnostic procedure used in isolation. Its diagnostic value lies primarily in its combination with the patient’s medical history, a physical examination, and, if necessary, additional diagnostic tests.
For us, the value of an EMG examination lies not solely in the measured values. What matters most is how these findings inform your further treatment. If, for example, the examination reveals that certain muscle groups are activated to a noticeably low degree during a movement or show differences in activation between the two sides, these insights can be incorporated into your treatment plan. This may result, for example, in targeted exercises for strength, coordination, and muscle control. We can also take into account physical demands at work, during sports, or in everyday life. If physical therapy is recommended, we can incorporate the results of the functional assessment into your ongoing treatment and, if necessary, coordinate with ROC Physio.
At ROC Ortho, we do not evaluate functional symptoms based solely on imaging. An MRI or X-ray can reveal important structural changes—but it does not answer every question regarding muscle function and movement patterns. Surface electromyography therefore complements our orthopedic diagnostics for specific clinical questions.
We use EMG selectively when measuring muscle activity can provide additional information to help determine the cause and plan treatment. We then discuss the results with you in clear, easy-to-understand terms and, if necessary, use them to develop specific recommendations for treatment, exercise, the workplace, or sports.
ROC Ortho
Private Orthopedic Practice
St.-Emmeram-Str. 5
85609 Aschheim
Email: praxis@roc-ortho.de
Phone: +49 89 46259930
Opening hours
| Monday | 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday | 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 7:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. |
| Thursday | 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
| Friday | 7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. |
EMG stands for electromyography. This procedure measures the electrical activity of muscles and records it as an electromyogram. At ROC Ortho, we use a non-invasive surface EMG with electrodes placed on the skin.
Using surface electromyography, we can examine the activity of selected muscles. This allows us, for example, to identify differences between the two sides of the body as well as abnormalities in muscle activation at rest, during contraction, or during specific movement sequences.
The surface EMG at the ROC is painless. The electrodes are attached to the skin from the outside. No needles are inserted into the muscle.
After discussing your symptoms, electrodes are attached to the muscles being examined. We then measure muscle activity—for example, at rest, during targeted contraction, and during standardized movement sequences.
The duration depends on which muscle groups are being examined and which functional tests are necessary for your symptoms. In addition to the actual measurement, the examination also includes preparation and the evaluation of the results.
In surface EMG, muscle activity is measured using electrodes placed on the skin. In needle EMG, a thin electrode is inserted directly into the muscle. Needle EMG is used primarily for specific neurological conditions and should not be equated with functional surface EMG as performed at the ROC.
A surface EMG may be useful if muscular imbalances, differences between the two sides of the body, or abnormalities in muscle activation are suspected to be part of your symptoms. We will assess on a case-by-case basis whether this test offers diagnostic value for your specific situation.