Peripheral Nerve Injuries

Diagnosis

Mayo Clinic doctors who have had training in nerve damage evaluate people who may have peripheral nerve injuries, including injuries of the brachial plexus.

Your doctor will review your medical history, ask about any accidents or previous surgeries and discuss your symptoms with you. If your neurologic examination shows signs of a nerve injury, your doctor may recommend diagnostic tests, which may include:

• Electromyogram (EMG or electromyography). In an EMG, a thin-needle electrode inserted into your muscle records your muscle's electrical activity at rest and in motion. Reduced muscle activity can indicate nerve injury.
• Nerve conduction study. Electrodes placed at two different points in your body measure how well electrical signals pass through the nerves.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A magnetic field and radio waves produce a detailed, three-dimensional image of the nerve that may be damaged and the affected area.

Read more about electromyography and magnetic resonance imaging at MayoClinic.com.