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Sciatica is more of a symptom than a condition, caused due to sciatic nerve compression.
The nerve can be compressed at the spinal level or below along its course.
Sciatic nerve is the thickest nerve in the body. It is the terminal branch of lumbo- sacral
plexus.
It is formed by the ventral rami of L4, L5, S1, S2 and S3 nerve roots. The nerve is divided
into two parts called the tibial part and the peroneal part.
Tibial part is formed by the ventral division of ventral rami of L4, L5, S1, S2 and S3.
Peroneal part is formed by the dorsal division of ventral rami of L4, L5, S1 and S2.
COURSE
Sciatic nerve arises in the pelvis, passing through the greater sciatic
notch below the piriformis (at times through the Piriformis muscle) to
enter gluteal region.
It lies deep to the gluteus maximus and crosses superior gamellus,
obturator internus, inferior gamellus and quadratus femoris to enter
back of the thigh. It curves around the greater trochanter to enter the
lateral aspect of thigh.
In back of thigh it lies deep to biceps femoris superficial to adductor
magnus.
It ends by dividing into its two terminal branches at the back of the
thigh.
During its course it gives muscular, articular and terminal branches.
MUSCULAR BRANCHES:
TERMINAL BRANCHES:
Ø Pain in leg
Ø radiating leg pain
Ø Numbness/ tingling
Ø Muscular weakness
Ø Gait dysfunction/ abnormal walking
Ø Sensory impairment
Ø Hot and cold alteration /burning sensation in the leg
Ø Reflex impairment
Ø Paresthesia/dysesthesia and oedema in lower
extremity
Ø Symptoms may aggravate with increased intra-
abdominal pressure (cough, constipation etc)
CAUSES
Email: care@painfreephysiotherapy.com
Website: www.painfreephysiotherapy.com