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Sciatica symptoms are characterized by a sharp pain that shoots down a lower limb through the buttock, into the upper thigh, and radiates into the skin of the calf, and the foot. Sciatica patients may also experience tingling or burning sensation as well as numbness of the skin in the affected areas – sciatic nerve pain.
(pain is mimicing sciatica, but there is no sciaticnerve involvment) this is often caused by sacroilliac joint irritation. This is also called pseudoradicular.
Sciatica caused by nerve compression or inflamation from within the spinal canal must be differentiated from pseudosciatica or piriformis syndrome.
This differential diagnosis is based on the combination of clinical examination and MRI results. However, overreliance on the MRI results can lead to treating the wrong cause.
Diagnosis is based on patient history and clinical examination as well as MRI (magnetic resonanse imaging) results
Most of the time sciatica responds well to coservative care.
Depending on origin of the sciatica or pathoanatomy, different physical therapy aproaches maybe used. Neurodynamic approaches are equally effective for all types of true sciatica, as it allows for better gliding and sliding of the nerve within the interface (interface is the tissue which restricts the ability of the nerve to glide) However, it should be supplemented with the treatment of the interface itself. Depending on where the sciatic nerve is affected, the treatment approach will be chosen based on pathoanatomy, biomechanics and loss of control in specific regions. We believe that the best treatment for sciatica is usually a comination of different approaches based on the clinical findings and the location and how the sciatic nerve is being compressed.
Sciatic nerve pain is characterized by sharp pain in the lower spinal region that may radiate into the gluteal muscle and continue down the leg, causing pain, numbness, tingling and weakness. It is caused by compression or entrapment of the sciatic nerve, which is one of the largest and longest nerves in your body. Roots of the sciatic nerve exit the spinal column from the vertebral junctions L-4/L-5 and L-5/S-1, where they conjoin and descend to innervate the muscles of your legs, feet and toes.
When unimpeded, the sciatic nerve glides freely as the body moves, providing a conduit for messages and sensory feedback, to and from the brain. Because of its location in the pelvic region, where the transfer of large force loads between the upper and lower body take place, the sciatic nerve may become compressed or entrapped from other structures, including muscles, tendons, bones and ligaments. It may also be injured from over-stretching, which may occur from sports or yoga.
Symptoms of sciatic nerve pain include:
Sciatica pain has several potential origins, including:
Irritation of the sacroilliac joint can mimic symptoms of sciatica, but it does not involve the sciatic nerve.
Diagnosis takes into account the patient’s medical history, clinical profile and location of the symptoms. MRI may be prescribed to identify and confirm sciatica, but is not always reliable, and over reliance on MRI may result in treating the wrong cause of pain.
At NYDNR, we use diagnostic ultrasound to visualize the sciatic nerve, spinal discs, hips and pelvis, to identify the exact location and origin of sciatic nerve pain. We may also perform nerve conduction and electromyography tests, which are conducted in our office. Clinical experience is our most effective tool for diagnosing and treating sciatic nerve pain.
Most sciatic nerve pain can be resolved with conservative treatment. Treatment approaches for sciatic nerve pain largely depend on where the sciatic nerve is affected. Treatment should not only be directed at relieving pain and correcting structural damage, but at treating whatever dysfunction led to the structural damage in the first place.
At NYDNR, we provide individualized treatment based on the specific needs of each patient. A combination of treatment methods may be used, including:
Our goal is to relieve sciatic nerve pain and eliminate its source, to restore optimal function and improve physical performance.
