Increased Insertion Activity on EMG

[ptich]

Does anybody knows what "Increased Insertion Activity" on EMG means ? I had it on most of the test points on my legs.
Thanks in advance.

[Al]

Hi ptich. Welcome to the forum. I can't say I've heard that expression but I'm sure somebody will know what it is. AL.

[Al]

I did some checking and this may explain what they were talking about.
EMG measures the electrical activity of muscle during rest, slight contraction, and forceful contraction. Muscle tissue does not normally produce electrical signals during rest. When an electrode is inserted, a brief period of activity can be seen on the oscilloscope, but after that, no signal should be present. Possibly you had more than normal activity on the scope when needles were inserted. AL.

[ptich]

Thanks Al, I think you are right. But my question was more like - how significant is it, what internal changes does it indicate ?

[Al]

Here's some information that might help.
http://www.stjohnsmercy.org/healthinfo/test/neuro/TP012.asp

[Meg1]

Increased insertional activity, combined with denervation, is evidence of ALS. It may also be evidence of things other than ALS but it is an ALS symptom and is noted on my EMG report. Here are a few references:

http://tinyurl.com/ycgn8o

http://intl.elsevierhealth.com/e-books/viewbook.cfm?ID=763

The third URL is pretty technical.

[Al]

Thanks Meg. There is some good information there although somewhat technical in the third case. AL.

[Meg1]

Increased insertional activity, combined with denervation, is evidence of ALS. It may also be evidence of things other than ALS but it is an ALS symptom and is noted on my EMG report. Here are a few references:

http://tinyurl.com/ycgn8o

http://intl.elsevierhealth.com/e-books/viewbook.cfm?ID=763

The third URL is pretty technical.

I have no idea why my second URL disappeared but in case it wasn't intentionally removed, here it is again:

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/neuro/messages/34325.html