Sciatic nerve dysfunction is a condition in which the sciatic nerve conducts impulses abnormally. The sciatic nerve is the main nerve of the leg. Abnormalities of this nerve can impair movement and/or sensation. Sciatica is a term that describes pain along the sciatic nerve.
The sciatic nerve runs through the leg and is the largest nerve in the body. It conducts nerve impulses to and from the following areas: the hip jointssome of the thigh musclesthe knee and ankle jointsall the muscles of the lower legjoints and muscles in the feet
Sciatic nerve dysfunction may affect any of these areas of the body. Most often, the nerve damage occurs when a disk in the spine ruptures. The vertebrae of the spinal column are separated by vertebral disks that act like shock absorbers. A disk is made up of two parts. The outer ring or annulus is a tough, fibrous material. The inner part or nucleus is a soft, jelly-like material. A ruptured disk occurs when the outer ring tears or breaks, allowing the jelly-like material to poke through the crack. The disk may press on the sciatic nerve.
Sciatic nerve dysfunction may involve sensation, movement, or both. Examples of symptoms include: decreased ability to flex the kneedecreased ability to move the foot and toes in certain directionsnumbness, burning, or tingling in the legpain in the lower back that may travel to the back of the thigh and calf
Many conditions, such as a ruptured disk in the back, can cause both movement and sensation symptoms.
Trauma is the usual cause. Injury to the sciatic nerve can occur because of: pelvic or hip joint fractureship surgeryfemur fracturegunshot or knife wounds to the leginjection into the buttockcompression of the nerve from prolonged sitting or lying
Unusual causes include: endometriosishematoma (blood clot in the pelvis or leg)tumor
Proper lifting techniques are important to avoid a ruptured disk. These techniques can be enhanced by the use of an abdominal support belt. Other preventive measures include the following: regular physical activityrest breaks to interrupt long periods of vibration, such as when driving a carsmoking cessation for individuals who smokeweight management for people who are obese
A person with diabetes can prevent some nerve problems by controlling his or her blood glucose levels.
Diagnosis of sciatic nerve dysfunction begins with a medical history and physical exam. Depending on the suspected cause of the problem, the provider may order diagnostic tests, such as: CT or MRI scansblood and urine testsa nerve conduction velocity test, or NCV, which measures transmission along the nervean electromyogram, or EMG, which measures muscle response to nerve stimulationa bone scana myelogram, which uses a contrast agent and X-rays to detect abnormalities along the spine
Sciatic nerve dysfunction may result in permanent muscle weakness and long-term abnormal sensations. Chronic or constant pain is also a possible long-term effect. Other long-term effects depend on the underlying cause.
Sciatic nerve dysfunction is not contagious and poses no risk to others.
A ruptured disk is generally treated conservatively at first. Initial treatments include: activity limitationsanti-inflammatory pain medicine, such as ibuprofen, ketoprofen, flurbiprofen, or naproxenapplication of heatmassagemuscle relaxants, such as carisoprodola specialized exercise program
If conservative treatment is not successful, the healthcare provider may recommend surgery. The following operations may be helpful for people with a ruptured disk: diskectomy or laminectomy, which allows the surgeon to remove the ruptured disk and relieve nerve pressureinjection of chymopapain, an enzyme, into the disk to dissolve itspinal fusion, which involves the joining of two or more vertebrae
Medicines may be prescribed to improve blood glucose control and help treat the nerve dysfunction if diabetes is the cause. In some cases, such as toxin exposure, nerve function cannot be restored.
Side effects of medicines include allergic reactions and stomach upset. Surgery is associated with a risk of infection, bleeding, and allergic reaction to anesthesia.
If the cause is reversible and is treated, no further treatment may be required. A person can often return to normal activities. Treatment may be prolonged if the underlying cause cannot be fixed. Such a cause would be diabetes.
After conservative treatment of a ruptured disk, a person can usually resume activity as tolerated. Symptoms may recur every now and then, requiring repeated treatment. After surgery, the signs and symptoms usually disappear, and a person will slowly resume normal activity after proper recovery. Physical therapy can be helpful to teach appropriate body mechanics and lifting techniques.
An individual with sciatic neuropathy will need routine follow up with his/her healthcare professional at first, to monitor for improvement or worsening, so as to direct physical therapy and/or further investigation or treatment for the condition.
