I don't think EMG is a must, however it will make a case much stronger. Getting radiculopathy added as an unfitting condition is a shot in the dark. Some people get it and others don't. I honestly don't know what exactly causes that.
ROM Experience
- Thread starter Heli2015
- Start date
For a back problem, a negative EMG is expected. EMG measures the amount of signal degradation along a nerve. It is very useful to show which joint is pinching a nerve. It can also help establish the severity for something like diabetic neuropathy, where the signal degrades along the entire path.
For a spinal problem, they'd have to stick the needles in the spine to find out which vertebrae is pinching it. That isn't a wise move.
That is my understanding anyway. There are definitely examples of people getting radiculopathy for a back problem with a negative EMG. I can't say I have ever heard of an example where they had a positive EMG for a back problem.
For a spinal problem, they'd have to stick the needles in the spine to find out which vertebrae is pinching it. That isn't a wise move.
That is my understanding anyway. There are definitely examples of people getting radiculopathy for a back problem with a negative EMG. I can't say I have ever heard of an example where they had a positive EMG for a back problem.
When I had my EMG done, the doc offered to put needles in my back, but I refused. Too much risk for me. Anyway, I decided to file an appeal this week. I have nothing to lose, but time.
For a pinched nerve along your spine, an EMG is medically inapplicable and doesn't add anything toward a diagnosis. Evidences from a MRI and a physical exam done by a neurosurgeon will suffice. I was originally pushing for an EMG with the false belief that I need to have one in order to have a rating for my nerve damage. However, with accordance to the results from my CP exam despite not having an EMG, I will be getting at least 40% for my sciatica as an unfit condition.
Based on my experience and observation, radiculopathy will only become an unfit condition if you have a drop foot. From the military perspective, your pain, numbness, and tingling can be controlled with drugs and therefore allow you to perform your duties. With a drop foot, it's hard to justify that you can't shoot, move, and communicate effectively in full kit. Without a drop foot, you can argue radiculopathy to be an unfit condition especially if you lose coordination of your foot, forcing you to often fall and twist your ankles. Regardless, you need to see a neurosurgeon in order to have radiculopathy added as an unfit condition.
For my case, my NARSUM originally lumped my herniated disc with radiculopathy together. However, the PEB separated them and placed them as two unfit conditions.
Based on my experience and observation, radiculopathy will only become an unfit condition if you have a drop foot. From the military perspective, your pain, numbness, and tingling can be controlled with drugs and therefore allow you to perform your duties. With a drop foot, it's hard to justify that you can't shoot, move, and communicate effectively in full kit. Without a drop foot, you can argue radiculopathy to be an unfit condition especially if you lose coordination of your foot, forcing you to often fall and twist your ankles. Regardless, you need to see a neurosurgeon in order to have radiculopathy added as an unfit condition.
For my case, my NARSUM originally lumped my herniated disc with radiculopathy together. However, the PEB separated them and placed them as two unfit conditions.
Unless you know for a fact that your nerve damage is in the periphery, meaning being out of the spine and observable by an EMG, it is in your best interest to skip that EMG, have a MRI, and get a consult to a neurosurgeon. I thought that my PCM was trying to screw me over by refusing me an EMG referral. However, upon further reflection, he was actually looking out for me. If your radiculopathy is due to a pinched nerve in your spine, your EMG will come back as negative, which will severely hurt your case for nerve damage.
One thing to note when it comes to the test, my doc that did the test told me outright this is for damaged nerves. However even if nothing is present when they do the EMG it is a bad guide to go off. Reason being you do an EMG when there is little to no stress on your legs(I did anyway). Your body weight alone can put pressure on nerves causing the radiculopathy that wont show up on an EMG. For example prolonged sitting and standing for me and my legs are shot however when the doc had me lay down and all of my weight was off my legs test came back normal.