Sciatica
Sciatica is defined as "A condition characterized by pain radiating from the back into the buttock and posterior/lateral aspects of the leg. sciatica may be a manifestation of sciatic neuropathy; radiculopathy (involving the spinal nerve roots; L4, L5, S1, or S2, often associated with intervertebral disk displacement); or lesions of the cauda equina.[1]
Cause/etiology
Sciatica may be caused by lumbosacral root compression from a herniated disk, piriformis syndrome[2][3], or other less common causes[3]. In the piriformis syndrome, MRI scan may show compression of the sciatic nerve at the "sciatic notch, at or just inferior to the level of the piriformis muscle."[2]
The straight leg raise test may help distinguish the herniated disk and piriformis syndrome; however, the value of the straight leg raise in this role has not been studied.
References
- ↑ National Library of Medicine. Sciatica. Retrieved on 2007-11-13.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Lewis AM, Layzer R, Engstrom JW, Barbaro NM, Chin CT (2006). "Magnetic resonance neurography in extraspinal sciatica". Arch. Neurol. 63 (10): 1469–72. DOI:10.1001/archneur.63.10.1469. PMID 17030664. Research Blogging.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Filler AG, Haynes J, Jordan SE, et al (2005). "Sciatica of nondisc origin and piriformis syndrome: diagnosis by magnetic resonance neurography and interventional magnetic resonance imaging with outcome study of resulting treatment". Journal of neurosurgery. Spine 2 (2): 99–115. PMID 15739520. [e]