Sciatica is pain along the path of the sciatic nerve in the leg. Its causes are multiple, but the most common form is lumbosciatica, where sciatica is associated with lower back pain.
The characteristic clinical signs are most often sufficient to make the diagnosis and implement appropriate treatment. However, surgery is sometimes necessary.
The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body. It is covered by the gluteus maximus muscle and descends vertically towards the thigh. The sciatic nerve descends vertically into the posterior compartment of the thigh where it gives off collateral branches.
In the popliteal fossa (at the knee), it divides into two terminal branches:
- The tibial nerve which innervates the posterior muscle group of the leg and the sole of the foot
- The common peroneal nerve that innervates the anterior and lateral muscle groups of the leg and the dorsum of the foot.
THE 10-MINUTE TREATMENT AT BEDNESS
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