Sciatica: Irritation Impingement Compression Entrapment of the Sciatic Nerve
What does it represent and what are the symptoms?
The term Sciatica represents a group of Sciatic Nerve pain symptoms that affect the lower back, buttocks, legs and feet. Sciatica symptoms include:
Muscle weakness
Referred pain
Lower back pain
Pain in the glutes (buttocks)
Leg pain
Leg numbness
Calf pain
Foot pain
Radiculopathy- Radiating nerve pain from the nerve root. Radiculopathy is a form of Neuropathy. Neuropathy is Neuropathic Pain. Neuropathic Pain is nerve pain that affects the peripheral Nervous system.
Radiculitis- Also known as Radicular pain, is radiating nerve pain along the nerve’s sensory distribution (Dermatome) not necessarily from the nerve root.
What causes Sciatica?
What is the cause of Radicular Pain?
Radiculopathy or Radicular pain is a result of one or more factors including irritation or impingement or compression or entrapment of the Sciatic nerve at some point along the nerve pathway. To put it simply, sciatic pain may be the result of a pinched nerve somewhere along the sciatic nerve pathway.
What is Piriformis Syndrome?
Piriformis Syndrome is a contributor to sciatic nerve pain in some cases, and is an example of Radicular Pain. Piriformis Syndrome occurs when the Piriformis Muscle compresses or somehow irritates the sciatic nerve.
What are some other causes?
Herniated disc – ruptured disc – aka –prolapsed disc – incorrectly called a slipped disk
The sciatic nerve starts at the lumbar spine and sacrum. It is comprised of lumbar nerves L4, and L5, and Sacral Nerves S1, S2, and S3. There is a sciatic nerve on the posterior left lower part of the body and a sciatic nerve on the posterior right lower part of the body.
Where does the Sciatic Nerve branch out to?
The sciatic nerve pathway is thru the Greater Sciatic Foramen of the Pelvis at the posterior portion of the body and has two main branches, the Tibial Nerve and the Common Peroneal (Fibular) Nerve. Both of the nerves have Articular, Muscular, and Cutaneous branches.
What does the Tibial Branch of the Sciatic Nerve do?
The Tibial Nerve is in the anterior compartment of the thigh and innervates the skin on the back of the leg, the muscles of the back of the leg including the hamstring muscles except the short head of the biceps Femoris, the muscles of the plantar aspect of the foot, and, and on the sole of the foot. The Articular branch of the Tibial nerve supplies the knee joint and the ankle joint. The Muscular Branch of the Tibial Nerve supplies the posterior calf muscles.
What does the Common Peroneal (Fibular) Nerve Branch of the Sciatic Nerve do?
The Common Peroneal (Fibular) Nerve is in the posterior compartment of the leg and innervates the short head of Biceps Femoris. Most of the nerve innervation is for the lateral and anterior compartment of the lower leg and dorsal areas of the foot and toes.
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