Methodology of electromyography of the lumbar paraspinal muscles

Electromyography (EMG) of the lumbar paraspinal muscles (PM) is performed for differential diagnosis of lumbosacral radiculopathy and other proximal peripheral nerve injuries such as lumbosacral plexopathy or sciatic neuropathy. In neurosurgery, EMG of the lumbar PM can clarify the level of the compressed spinal nerve root in polyradiculopathy due to degenerative spinal deasese. In this article we describe in detail the technique of the study, present the factors limiting the use of EMG in the diagnosis of radiculopathy and determination of its anatomical level.