To identify potential nerve damage, the Nerve Conduction Study (NCS) measures how fast an electrical impulse moves through the patient’s nerve. Electrode patches are placed on the skin over the nerves, to measure their functioning. The NCS tests the peripheral nerves responsible for movement (motor function) and sensation (sensory function).

Through the electrodes, a small electrical current is applied to the nerves while recording the response. The test works by measuring the distance between electrodes, and the time it takes for electrical impulses to travel from one to the other. With these results, we can determine whether the patient has a nerve disorder, or a muscle disorder.