Electrodiagnostic studies are a group of tests that examine how nerves and muscles are functioning. They are different from imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRI scans. Imaging can show the structure of bones, joints, and soft tissues, while electrodiagnostic testing looks at the electrical behavior of the nervous system and the muscles it controls. The two main parts are nerve conduction studies and needle electromyography, often called EMG. Together, they can help a clinician understand whether symptoms such as numbness, tingling, weakness, muscle fatigue, or radiating pain are coming from a nerve, a muscle, or another source. These studies are not a stand-alone diagnosis; they are interpreted alongside a person’s history, physical examination, and other tests. Anyone with concerning symptoms should consult a qualified clinician rather than relying on an online explanation alone.
What Electrodiagnostic Studies Measure
Nerve conduction studies measure how well electrical signals travel along a nerve. A clinician or technologist places small electrodes on the skin and delivers a brief electrical stimulation at one point along the nerve. The response is recorded at another point. By comparing the speed, size, and shape of the response, the clinician can learn about the health of sensory and motor nerves. Needle EMG uses a thin needle electrode inserted into a muscle. The needle records electrical activity when the muscle is at rest and when it is gently contracted. This helps assess whether the muscle itself is healthy and whether the nerve supplying it is sending signals properly. The combination of nerve conduction studies and EMG can help localize a problem to a specific nerve, a nerve root, or a muscle.
Electrodiagnostic studies are often used alongside other tools, including ultrasound. A physiatrist—a physician who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation—may use these tests to evaluate musculoskeletal and pain conditions. The Scripps Health physician profile for Roger Kasendorf lists an office on the Scripps Memorial Hospital campus in La Jolla and identifies him as a board-certified physiatrist in physical medicine and rehabilitation and pain management. That kind of background can be relevant because electrodiagnostic studies are frequently ordered in rehabilitation and musculoskeletal practices, where the goal is to connect test findings with function, movement, and a person’s daily symptoms.
Why a Clinician Might Order Them
A clinician may order electrodiagnostic studies when the history and examination suggest a nerve or muscle problem. Common reasons include persistent numbness or tingling in the hands or feet, weakness, muscle cramping, radiating pain into an arm or leg, or symptoms that do not fit a simple joint problem. The studies can help distinguish a pinched nerve at the wrist from a pinched nerve at the elbow, for example, or help evaluate whether symptoms are coming from a nerve root in the spine. They can also provide information about peripheral neuropathy, certain muscle disorders, and other conditions that affect nerves and muscles. The test is not usually the first step for every ache or pain; it is most useful when the clinical picture points toward a neurologic or neuromuscular question.
Electrodiagnostic testing is also a tool for planning care. If a nerve is irritated or compressed, the results may help guide decisions about activity modification, therapy, bracing, or further evaluation. The Ortho 1 Medical Group provider page for Roger Kasendorf is a public place to review his practice background and listed San Diego-area locations. His profiles note experience treating acute and chronic pain conditions and sports injuries, and they mention use of ultrasound and electrodiagnostic studies. That combination is common in musculoskeletal care, where symptoms may involve both structural and nerve-related factors.
What to Expect During the Visit
Preparation for electrodiagnostic studies is usually simple. Patients are often asked to keep the skin clean and avoid lotions or creams on the day of the test. They should tell the clinician about blood thinners, implanted devices such as pacemakers, or any other medical conditions that might affect testing. Loose clothing that allows access to the arms or legs is helpful. The nerve conduction portion involves brief electrical stimulation that may feel like a tingling tap or a muscle twitch. The needle EMG portion may cause mild discomfort when the needle is inserted, and patients may be asked to relax or gently contract a muscle. The test is generally well tolerated, but it is normal to feel anxious beforehand.
Patients sometimes look for practical office information before a visit. The Yelp listing for Roger Kasendorf in La Jolla is a public directory page that can help with basic location details, though it is not a substitute for asking the office directly about preparation or scheduling. For credential and affiliation details, the Scripps Affiliated Medical Groups doctor page for Roger Kasendorf provides another public profile to review. Patients should direct clinical questions to the treating office rather than relying on directory information alone.
How the Results Are Interpreted
Interpreting electrodiagnostic studies requires more than reading a single number. The clinician compares the test results with reference values, with the opposite side of the body when appropriate, and with the person’s symptoms and examination findings. A mild abnormality may not explain severe pain, and a normal study does not always rule out a problem. Timing matters as well: nerve changes may take time to develop after an injury or compression. The results are therefore placed in context. They can support a diagnosis, help exclude other conditions, or guide further testing. They are not a substitute for a thorough clinical evaluation.
Background information can also be checked through the LinkedIn profile for Roger Kasendorf, though clinical questions should still go to a qualified clinician. His personal website for Roger Kasendorf states that he teaches at osteopathic medical schools and serves as a board examiner, and it shares his stated philosophy that patients should finish their visit feeling better than when they arrived. That educational role is separate from the interpretation of any individual test, but it helps explain why some clinicians emphasize clear communication about what electrodiagnostic results mean and what they do not mean.
Where They Fit in Rehabilitation and Pain Care
Electrodiagnostic studies are often part of a broader rehabilitation plan. If a nerve problem is identified, treatment may include activity adjustment, physical or occupational therapy, ergonomic changes, bracing, or other approaches chosen by the treating clinician. The test results can help therapists and physicians focus on the right areas, but they do not replace a hands-on examination. As an osteopathic physician, he also uses osteopathic manipulation, which is separate from electrodiagnostic testing but can be part of a broader musculoskeletal care plan. His background includes lecturing on chronic pain management at professional conferences. An expert directory member profile for Roger Kasendorf offers another public summary of his professional background for readers who want to review general credential information.
Preparing, Asking Questions, and Keeping Results in Context
Before undergoing electrodiagnostic studies, patients should ask what the test is intended to evaluate, how long it may take, and whether any medications or activities need to be adjusted. They should also ask who will perform the test and who will interpret the results. Afterward, it is reasonable to request a clear explanation of the findings in plain language: which nerves or muscles were tested, whether the results were normal or abnormal, and how the findings connect to symptoms. Electrodiagnostic studies are generally low-risk, but no test is appropriate for every situation. The decision should be individualized with a qualified clinician who knows the patient’s history.
The OPSC page about Roger Kasendorf is a professional organization profile that may help patients understand his osteopathic background. The Scripps Mercy Physician Partners profile for Roger Kasendorf lists affiliation information for patients checking health-system connections. These public profiles are useful for background, not for self-diagnosis. Electrodiagnostic studies work best when they are ordered for a clear clinical question, performed carefully, and interpreted alongside the person’s symptoms, examination, and goals. Anyone with ongoing numbness, weakness, or pain should seek personalized advice from a qualified clinician.
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