Low Back Pain? Don’t Be Fooled by Sciatica Imposters

Lower back pain (LBP) is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints worldwide, affecting more than 600 million adults, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Within that demographic, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimates that only 5-10% of patients with low back pain actually have sciatica. Despite those statistics, medical doctors are quick to diagnose sciatica as the primary cause of LBP when in fact there are multiple other conditions that share similar symptoms.

Learn about true sciatica, the imposters that imitate it, and how high resolution diagnostic ultrasonography can help to differentiate between the various causes of sciatica-like pain symptoms.

True vs False Sciatica

True sciatica arises when the sciatic nerve – the longest and widest nerve in the body – is compressed or impinged by a herniated disc or by osteoarthritic bone spurs at one of its roots in the lower spine. But the sciatic nerve travels a long path beyond its nerve roots, innervating the lower extremities all the way to your feet.

The sciatic nerve can potentially become compressed, entrapped or irritated by structures and tissues anywhere from your pelvis to your distal thigh, creating symptoms of false sciatica. When that happens, treating the area surrounding the nerve root is unlikely to provide relief.

The most common areas of sciatic nerve compression or entrapment are:

• At the nerve roots where they exit the lumbosacral spine
• Between the greater sciatic notch and the ischial tuberosity
• The space where the nerve passes near or through an enlarged or inflamed piriformis muscle
• At the junction of the sacroiliac joint and superior gluteal nerve
• At the fibrous edge of the biceps femoris
• At the gemellus-obturator internus complex in the deep gluteal space, where the sciatic nerve is dynamically entrapped
• Wherever there is scar tissue, a mass, a fibrous band or a vascular leash that intersects with the sciatic nerve

Symptoms of sciatica include:

• Tingling, aching or burning sensation in your low back, buttocks and/or legs
• Pain on one side of the body
• Weakness in the affected leg and/or foot
• Pain that starts slowly and intensifies after standing or sitting
• Pain when sneezing, coughing, or laughing
• Pain when bending or walking
• Pain when straining, as during a bowel movement
• Changes in pain intensity with changes in posture

Common Sciatica Imposters

There are multiple extra-spinal conditions that mimic sciatica symptoms. Because sciatica is most often diagnosed based on symptoms and a physical exam, doctors can easily overlook other conditions with similar symptoms that can be mistaken for sciatica.

Sciatica imposters include:

• Hip adductor muscle tear
• Deep gluteal syndrome
• Hamstring syndrome
• Ischiofemoral impingement (IFI) syndrome
• Wallet neuritis, aka fat wallet syndrome
• Ossified bone tissue in the hip or femur
• Piriformis pyomyositis
• Endometriosis of the sciatic nerve
• Sciatic nerve tumors
• Cluneal nerve disorders
• Myofascial pain syndrome
• Gluteus medius tendonitis
• Gluteal neuropathy
• Muscle spasm

Differential Diagnosis for Sciatica

Sciatica diagnosis based on symptoms is a hit-or-miss approach, where doctors wait to see if the prescribed treatment works before considering whether the patient’s pain is caused by sciatica or something else. This inefficient diagnostic approach can prolong the patient’s suffering and create unnecessary financial challenges.

When sciatica-like pain does not respond to treatment, MRI may be recommended to visualize the affected area. However, a regular MRI gives us static images that do not shed much light on the underlying pathology. Only an MRI neurography is capable of providing useful images of nerve entrapment, and that can cost between $8000-12,000, which is rarely covered by insurance.

Although MRI can be useful for larger patients due to its depth of penetration, ultrasonography has multiple advantages over MRI. High-resolution ultrasound provides detailed images of nerve compressions as they happen, along with other factors that affect the subgluteal space, without exposing the patient to radiation or toxic heavy metals. Patient discomfort is minimal, and results are instantaneous, expediting appropriate treatment.

Advantages of ultrasound imaging include:

• Affordable equipment compared to MRI
• Minimal space requirement
• Highly portable equipment that can be used under a variety of conditions
• Imaging appears in real time
• Ultrasound transducers can follow the path of long structures like muscles, nerves and blood vessels
• Imaging can be done with the patient in motion, to view the interactions of various structures
• The patient’s right and left sides can be visualized and compared in the same session
• Ultrasound imaging costs the patient a fraction of MRI
• Imaging can be done in the comfort of the doctor’s office, without an extra trip to the hospital, and no wait for lab results

Treating Sciatica and Sciatica-Like Pain Syndromes

Sciatic nerve pain is not a medical condition in itself, but a symptom created by other factors. Accurate diagnosis is key in selecting the most appropriate and effective treatment approaches. In most cases, sciatic nerve treatment requires a multifaceted approach, depending on the location of entrapment and the unique characteristics of the individual patient.

Sciatic nerve compression in the sub gluteal space can have multiple causes, and requires a multimodal treatment approach that includes:

• Reducing nerve inflammation with extracorporeal magnetic transduction therapy (EMTT), along with ultrasound guided hydrodissection or hydro release of the interfascial plane.
• Treating coexisting tendinopathies and enthesopathies within the hip and pelvis, such as SI, joint instability, pubic symphysis instability, sacrotuberous ligament enthesopathy, and others.
• Manual fascial manipulation to release fascial densifications that inhibit muscle gliding, to improve lumbopelvic joint mechanics.
• Neuromodulation therapy to decrease nerve hypersensitivity.
• Restorative individualized physical therapy to improve lumbo-pelvic-hip stability.

In certain stubborn cases, ultrasound-guided injections of a local anesthetic and/or cortisone can sometimes facilitate rehabilitation by numbing pain and reducing inflammation, making it possible to proceed with physical therapy.

Get Accurate Diagnosis of Sciatica Imposters in NYC

An inaccurate diagnosis of sciatica-like symptoms can prolong your pain and discomfort while costing you thousands in medical bills without resolving your condition. At NYDNRehab, we use advanced diagnostic tools to accurately identify your condition. Our personalized treatment approach is based on your unique anatomical characteristics. Our expertise coupled with a broad array of advanced treatment options ensures that your condition is quickly and effectively resolved.

To get the most accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for your low back pain and sciatica-like symptoms, contact NYDNRehab today.

To get the most accurate diagnosis and effective treatment contact NYDNRehab today

Request an appointment » Our location: 11 West 25th Street 5th floor, New York, NY 10010