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Dr. David Ruggles
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Canadian/American Certification in Electrodiagnostic Medicine/EMG
Kingston Ear Institute
2724 Princess St. Kingston, ON, K7P 2W6

Phone: 613-650-1545 Fax: 613-531-0674

New Practice Announcement

I am pleased to announce the opening of my Electrodiagnostic Medicine/EMG practice at the Kingston Ear Institute (KEI).

I completed my medical degree at Dalhousie University and residency training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Queen’s in 2002.  I also obtained Canadian and American certification in Electrodiagnostic Medicine/EMG during my residency training.

I am accepting referrals for Electrodiagnostic Medicine/EMG consultation and testing (nerve conduction studies and needle EMG) for a variety of suspected peripheral nerve conditions and in particular entrapment neuropathies (i.e. carpal tunnel syndrome, ulnar and peroneal neuropathies), cervical and lumbar radiculopathy and generalized peripheral neuropathies (i.e. associated with diabetes and other medical conditions).

Suspected more complex neuromuscular conditions including motor neuron disease (such as ALS), neuromuscular junction disorders (such as Myaesthenia Gravis) and myopathies would be better referred to a neuromuscular neurologist.  Of note, I will be continuing my Musculoskeletal Medicine/Chronic Pain practice part time specifically at Providence Care Hospital and not at the Kingston Ear Institute.

New referrals will be accepted via fax at 613-531-0674. Please below a referral form, which although not mandatory, would greatly aid in triaging the urgency of your referral.

Electrodiagnostic Medicine Referral Form PDF

For further information please feel free to contact our office:

Address: 2724 Princess St. Kingston, ON K7P 2W6   Ph: 613 650 1545

 


 

Electrodiagnostic Medicine/Nerve Testing
Patient Information Sheet

You have been referred by your doctor/nurse practitioner for a medical specialist consultation and nerve testing.

Your appointment will involve a history and physical exam by a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation specialist (Physiatrist) followed by nerve testing if appropriate. Your appointment will likely last 20 to 30 minutes.

The nerve testing will involve nerve conduction studies and possibly needle EMG.

Nerve conduction studies involve the placement of disposable sticky skin electrodes (similar to ECG/cardiogram electrodes) on either your hands or feet depending on where your symptoms are to record the nerve signals and a controlled electrical stimulus (mild shock) applied to the nerves being tested to create a nerve response.

Needle EMG (which may or may not be required) involves the insertion of a needle slightly bigger than an acupuncture needle into various muscles to further test the nerve supplying that muscle. The number of muscles tested will vary.

Nerve conduction studies and needle EMG can cause some degree of brief discomfort but are generally well tolerated and have no after effects. If you are experiencing more discomfort than expected, you can ask to stop the testing at any time.

To prepare for your appointment:

  1. Please bring a current list of your medications.
  2. Do not put any moisturizing lotion on the area to be tested as this affects contact with the testing electrodes.
  3. If your legs/lower extremities are being examined/tested it would be ideal if you could wear loose pants that can easily go above your knees or shorts to change in to.