sciatic nerve
n.
A nerve that arises from the sacral plexus and passes through the greater sciatic foramen to about the middle of the thigh where it divides into the common peroneal and tibial nerves.
Sciatica and the sciatic nerve
Sciatica introduction
Sciatica commonly refers to pain that radiates along the sciatic nerve and is typically felt in the rear, down the back of the leg and possibly to the foot. Sciatica is one of the most common forms of pain caused by compression of the spinal nerves, and the leg pain often feels much worse than the back pain.
Sciatica is actually a symptom and not a diagnosis. The term literally means that a patient has pain down the leg from compression on the sciatic nerve. The diagnosis is what is causing the compression (such as a disc herniation).
The sciatic nerve is the largest single nerve in the human body; it runs from each side of the lower spine through deep in the rear and back of the thigh, and all the way down to foot, connecting the spinal cord with the leg and foot muscles.
Sciatica pain can result when the nerve roots in the lower spine are irritated or compressed. Most often, sciatica pain is caused when the L5 or S1 nerve root in the lower spine is irritated by a herniated disc. When this happens, pain radiates into the rear and back of the thigh and calf, and occasionally may extend down to the foot. Numbness, tingling, and/or a burning or prickling sensation are also common symptoms.
Degenerative disc disease may also irritate the nerve root and cause sciatica, while conditions that mimic sciatica include piriformis syndrome and sacroiliac joint dysfunction. Sciatica may also be felt if the nerve is actually mechanically compressed, such as from spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, or arthritis in the spine.
Most cases of sciatica are caused by a simple irritation to the nerve and will get better with time and conservative care. However, some sciatica symptoms may indicate a potentially serious injury to the sciatic nerve:
If weakness or numbness is present, the nerve may be damaged and it is important to seek attention from a health care professional. If the nerve is compressed and the pain and symptoms are severe, surgery may be warranted.
If there is bowel or bladder incontinence (inability to control the bowel or bladder) and/or progressive weakness or loss of sensation in the legs, the condition may be serious and immediate medical attention should be sought.
Sciatic nerve anatomy
The sciatic nerve is the largest and longest single nerve in the human body, about as big around as a thumb at its largest point. The nerve originates in the lower spine as nerve roots exit the spinal cord (through the bones in the spine), and extends all the way down the back of the leg to the toes.
The sciatic nerve is actually a combination of nerves. It is formed on the right and left hand side of the lower spine by the combination of the fourth and fifth lumbar nerves and the first three nerves in the sacral spine. Each nerve exits the spine between two vertebral segments and is named for the segment above it.
The nerve that exits between lumbar segment 4 and lumbar segment 5 (L4 and L5) is called the L4 nerve root, and the nerve that exits between the L5 and Sacral segment 1 is called the L5.
The nerves that emerge from the sacral foramen are called the S1, S2 and S3 nerves.
The five nerves group together on the front surface of the piriformis muscle (in the rear) and become one large nerve - the sciatic nerve. This nerve travels then down the back of each leg, branching out to innervate specific regions of the leg and foot.
In the lower thigh/above the back of the knee, the sciatic nerve divides into two nerves, the tibial and peroneal nerves, which innervate different parts of the lower leg:
The peroneal nerves travel laterally (sideways) along the outer aspect of the knee to the upper foot.
The tibial nerves continue to travel downward towards the feet and innervate the heel and sole of the foot.
The sciatic nerve supplies sensation and strength to the leg as well as the reflexes of the leg. It connects the spinal cord with the outside of the thigh, the hamstring muscles in the back of the thighs, and muscles in the lower leg and feet. As such, when the sciatic nerve is impaired it can lead to muscle weakness in the leg and/or, numbness or tingling.
Sciatica symptoms and sciatic nerve anatomy
The nerve roots that exit the spine to form the sciatic nerve are extremely sensitive, and the inner portion of the disc that may herniate or extrude contains proteins that are inflammatory and can easily irritate the nerve. Therefore, if some of the inner portion of the disc (the nucleus) comes too close to the nerve, the nerve may be irritated and become inflamed, causing sciatic pain - or sciatica.
The sciatica symptoms one feels (sciatic nerve pain, numbness, tingling, weakness) tend to be different depending on where the pressure on the nerve occurs. The patient’s pain and sciatica symptoms can usually be traced to where the injured/irritated nerve originates in the lower back.
Different types of sciatica pain:
Sciatica from L4 nerve root (usually the L3-L4 level)
The patient may have reduced knee-jerk reflex. Symptoms of sciatica stemming from this level of the lower back may include: pain and/or numbness to the medial lower leg and foot; weakness may include the inability to bring the foot upwards (heel walk).
Sciatica from L5 nerve root (usually the L4-L5 level)
The patient may have weakness in extension of the big toe and potentially in the ankle (called foot drop). Symptoms of sciatica originating at this level of the lower back may include: pain and/or numbness to the top of the foot, particularly in the web between the great toe (big toe) and the second toe.
Sciatica from S1 nerve root (the L5-S1 level)
The patient may have reduced ankle-jerk reflex. Symptoms of sciatica originating at this level of the spine may include: pain and/or numbness to the lateral or outer foot; weakness that results in difficulty raising the heel off the ground or walking on the tiptoes.
Pressure on the sacral nerve roots from sacroiliac joint dysfunction
Symptoms may include: a sciatica-like pain or numbness that is often described as a deep ache, inside the leg more so than a linear, well-defined geographic area of pain/numbness found in true sciatica.
Pressure on the sciatic nerve from the piriformis muscle
This pressure on the sciatic nerve can tighten and irritate the sciatic nerve (called piriformis syndrome). Symptoms of piriformis syndrome may include: a sciatica-like pain and/or numbness in the leg, usually more intense above the knee, which usually starts in the rear rather than the low back, often sparing the low back of symptoms or signs. Piriformis syndrome can mimic the signs and symptoms of sciatica pain from a disc herniation and is part of the differential diagnosis of possible causes of sciatica.
Proper use of the sciatica terminology
To clarify terminology, the term sciatica is often used to indicate any form of pain that radiates into the leg.
If the sciatic nerve is pinched and the pain in the leg is from the nerve (radicular pain) then this is a correct use of the term sciatica.
If the pain is referred to the leg from a joint (referred pain) then using the term sciatica is technically incorrect.
Referred pain from arthritis or other joint problems that may cause leg pain (which feels like sciatica) is actually more common than true sciatica.
By: Steve G. Yeomans, DC, FACO
July 17, 2003
2006-07-07 20:52:41
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answer #1
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answered by Jennifer B 5
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2016-12-20 04:37:43
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answer #2
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answered by Anonymous
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2016-12-23 23:48:55
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answer #3
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answered by Anonymous
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2016-12-25 04:44:44
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answer #4
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answered by ? 3
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Check here a very effective Sciatica Natural Treatment ( http://cure-sciatica.info )
Normally, I would not answer a question like this as my expertise is generally in medication but I had severe sciatica while I was pregnant with my 3rd child (after having had twins) and I had sciatica so bad that I was finding it difficult to walk. I tried massage therapy and physical therapy and could not take medication
I went to the chiropractor and the pain was instantly relieved. My hips and lower back were out of alignment because I had carried twins the year before. On occasion a Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) can also work but they usually only work on one joint at a time - the chiropractor will do your whole back which works faster. Anyone who does not believe in chiropractors will tell you they are quacks - don't listen.
I don't necessarily believe that chiropractors can cure things like diabetes but they can definitely relieve some types of back pain especially if a pinched nerve is involved which is usually the cause of sciatica.
2014-10-29 16:44:08
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answer #5
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answered by Anonymous
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Is he having electrical discharges in his foot. I did. Does he drink a large amount of caffeine? Does he smoke alot of cigarettes? quit both and it wont be a factor any more. Does the back of his leg ache. Quit caffeine and smoking. Even just caffenine will help. oh ya make sure he doesnt abuse the cigarette patch as thats what sent me to the hosptial twice with big psyiatic nerve problems. i damaged a nerve in my brain too and was off work for like four months unable to walk but thats too long a story to tell. He probably feels some pain down the side of his neck and under his arm pit too. Make sure he quits caffeine, tobacco and marijuana if he is abusing these things in massive quantities. Im certain those are the culprits.
2006-07-07 20:58:19
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answer #6
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answered by mike n 2
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2016-05-01 15:03:07
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answer #7
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answered by ? 3
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Its spelled (sciatic)..but I would also look at a pinched disc or muscle strain..if he is in pain and having difficulty walking or getting pain relief with simple medications, then I would suggest he go the ER or his family doctor..I know how painful and miserable this can be. Also sometimes it is easily treated but you need a good exam.
2006-07-07 20:54:44
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answer #8
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answered by FloNightingGale 4
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I dislocated & fractured my elbow, which trapped my nerve. & The nerve damage whilst being trapped hurt ALOT more than the break itself. It caused my hand to go cold. (it was the ulna nerve). It was basically paralyzed. It took a year to come back. My muscle in my hand wore away because i wasnt movin it, i couldnt. Its back to normal now. But Yeah trapped nerves hurt alot!
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2016-04-14 00:03:50
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answer #9
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answered by Anonymous
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2016-04-29 05:44:21
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answer #10
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answered by chelsea 3
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2015-02-02 10:59:45
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answer #11
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answered by Anonymous
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