Patient Information
Tests and Treatments: Diagnostic Tests: Function Studies: Anal Sphincter EMG
Anal sphincter EMG is recorded with a small sponge electrode in the anal canal. The person relaxes, squeezes and pushes. A computer records sphincter muscle electrical activity.
Anal sphincter electromyography confirms the proper muscle contractions during squeeze and muscle relaxation during push. In people with non-relaxing puborectalis, the tracing of electrical activity gets bigger, instead of smaller, during a push.
Normal anal EMG activity with low anal squeeze pressures on manometry may indicate a torn sphincter muscle that could be repaired.
Page last updated
10/28/2006
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