Electromyographic findings in the extensor digitorum brevis in a normal population.

Some electromyographers suggest the diagnosis of radiculopathy when electromyographic examination reveals abnormalities in only one muscle, the extensor digitorum brevis. We studied 70 volunteers free of neuromuscular disease and found electromyographic abnormalities in 11. We conclude that abnormal electrical activities found solely in the extensor digitorum brevis may not be diagnostically signifcant for lumbosacral radiculopathy.