Neuromuscular Medicine
We are dedicated to delivering expert primary and referral services for all disorders of the peripheral nerves and muscles. Our program is supported by the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). As a tertiary referral site for complex neuromuscular conditions, we serve as consultants to general neurologists, internists, and many other specialists.
We specialize in:
- ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig’s disease)
- Myasthenia Gravis
- Myopathy (including polymyositis, dermatomyositis, inclusion body myositis)
- Neuropathy (CIDP, CMT and other inherited neuropathies, Guillain-Barré, diabetic neuropathy)
- Muscular Dystrophy (including FSH, Duchene, Becker, Limb-Girdle, Myotonic, Oculopharyngeal)
- Stiff-Person Syndrome and related disorders
Our Team
Our neurologists have advanced training in neuromuscular disease and electromyography (assessing electrical activity in muscle). They have specialized knowledge in the science, clinical evaluation, or clinical management of disorders that affect cells in the central and peripheral nervous systems, muscles, and the junction between them. They offer greater expertise in the origin, mechanisms, diagnosis, and treatment of these disorders than general neurologists.
Our electromyographers have expertise in assessing electrical activity in muscle and nerve conduction studies. We are one of the few programs in the Northeast with several electromyographers, who are expert in a specialized technique called single fiber EMG to test for myasthenia gravis.
Our neuromuscular group works together as a team that includes medical assistants, clinical nurse coordinators, an MDA coordinator, resident staff, fellows, and attending physicians.
Prepare For Your Visit
Please bring the following items:
- A copy of your medical records pertaining to your condition, which should include MRIs, nerve conduction studies, and other testing and/or imaging available
- A current list of all medications and any allergies to medications
- Name and address of your primary care physician and any other specialists
Your first visit will entail a comprehensive evaluation, and you will be asked for a detailed history of your condition. We will complete a thorough neurological examination, after which we will develop a plan of care. We will inform you if additional testing is needed, make recommendations regarding adjustments to current treatment regimens, or refer you to other physicians or consultants.
The term EMG is often used to refer to both electromyography and nerve conduction studies. Electromyography is the technique of assessing the health of muscles. Nerve conduction studies assess the health of nerves. Together these techniques are used to investigate and diagnose the entire spectrum of neuromuscular disorders. Our electomyographers use the latest EMG equipment to perform all available specialized EMG techniques, including Quantitative EMG, Blink Reflex, Single Fiber EMG, and others.
We use a specialized type of nerve conduction study, called the Jolly test (which includes repetitive nerve stimulation) to help diagnosis myasthenia gravis (MG). There is also a more sophisticated technique, called a single fiber EMG, which is currently the most sensitive test for MG. Ours is one of the few programs in the Northeast with several electromyographers who are expert in this technique.
Your appointment will last from 30 to 60 minutes. Our neuromuscular neurologist will determine what type of specific testing to complete and briefly go over the results with you at the end of the visit. We will send a full report to the referring physician.
