| | | | | electrocardiogram, and a chest x-ray to see |
| There are multitudes of neuromuscular diseases | | | | whether you have any medical conditions that |
| that are exceptionally difficult to diagnose. In | | | | might cause problems during or after your |
| some cases, even extensive clinical examination | | | | operation. For example, your blood pressure |
| and laboratory workups fail to reveral a diagnosis. | | | | should be well-controlled, as should your blood |
| In these cases, a nerve and or a muscle biopsy | | | | sugar. Some patients may require additional |
| might be required to secure a diagnosis. Once a | | | | testing before medical clearance is granted. For |
| definitive diagnosis is obtained, the appropriate | | | | example, those with a history of heart disease |
| prognosis and treatments may be provided. | | | | may require a echocardiogram or a stress test in |
| Essentially any nerve or muscle in the body can | | | | addition to the standard electrocardiogram. |
| use for biopsy. The majority of biopsies sample | | | | In general, patients are asked to hold on to their |
| muscles and nerves that are surgically-accessible | | | | own imaging studies after each office visit. That |
| with a local anesthetic with a minimum of effort. | | | | way, the physician’s office cannot ever lose |
| These procedures are almost invariably tolerated | | | | your films. It is important, however, to bring the |
| quite easily by awaked patients. | | | | necessary films to surgery. Some imaging studies |
| Common muscles subjected to biopsy are the | | | | are so crucial that the surgery cannot be |
| quadriceps, deltoid, biceps, gastrocnemius, and | | | | performed without them. Generally, your physician |
| gracilis muscles. | | | | will let you know if that is the case ahead of time. |
| Common nerves subjected to biopsy are the | | | | The evening before your surgery, the hospital will |
| superficial peroneal, sural, superficial radial sensory, | | | | notify you of your time of surgery, and what |
| and gracilis. | | | | time you should arrive at the hospital. Other |
| Preparing for Your Surgery | | | | general instructions will include having nothing to |
| If you and your physician decide together that | | | | eat after midnight the evening before surgery. |
| surgery is the best option for you, then here are | | | | Notify your physician if you do not receive |
| some useful things to keep in mind: | | | | instructions by 8 or 9 PM the evening prior to |
| Our office staff will work with you to find the | | | | your surgery. |
| most mutually convenient time to schedule your | | | | It is normal to be a bit nervous prior to your |
| surgery. This may be done either when you are in | | | | surgery. Perhaps the best thing to remember is |
| the office or perhaps over the phone. | | | | that you are under the care of an enormous |
| You will need to have preoperative medical | | | | family of health care workers, from physicians, to |
| clearance. This is a process whereby your | | | | nurses, to therapists, to staff members, all of |
| personal physician (generally an internist, | | | | whom strive to make your stay with us as |
| cardiologist, or other primary care physician) | | | | pleasant as possible. |
| checks some blood and urine tests, an | | | | |