The goal of conducting a physical exam and review of medical history is to identify the pain pattern in the patient’s leg. Medical imaging tests and diagnostic nerve blocks may be appropriate in some cases. When sciatica is suspected, a doctor will take a medical history and conduct a physical examination. Sciatica usually heals on its own with rest and time.A diagnosis of the underlying cause of sciatica is essential in formulating an effective treatment plan and managing sciatica pain. Your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapiesĮxpectations for the course of the disease Your age, overall health, and medical history Specific treatment for sciatica will be determined by your doctor based on: When stimulating the nerve at various places, the doctor can then determine the specific site of the injury. Electrodes are then placed in various locations on the skin along the nerve pathway. The NCS is often done along with the EMG to determine if a nerve is functioning normally. During the EMG, thin needles are placed in the muscle to record electrical activity. A diagnostic procedure conducted together that records and analyzes electrical impulses in the muscles. A diagnostic procedure that uses a combination of large magnets, radiofrequencies, and a computer to produce detailed images of organs and structures within the body.Įlectromyography and nerve conduction study (EMG and NCS).
A diagnostic test that uses invisible electromagnetic energy beams to produce images of internal tissues, bones, and organs onto film. In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination, diagnostic procedures for sciatica may include the following: The symptoms of sciatica may resemble other conditions or medical problems.
Pain that extends from the buttock down to the foot Lower back pain that radiates down the buttock and back of 1 thigh However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. The following are the most common symptoms of sciatica. Sometimes a cause for the sciatica cannot be identified. Piriformis syndrome, or entrapment of the nerve by muscle and connective tissue Other causes that may put pressure on the sciatic nerve may include the following: What causes sciatica?įrequently, sciatica is caused by a herniated disk in the spine that presses on the sciatic nerve. It is also the largest nerve in the entire body. The sciatic nerve is the primary nerve of the leg. Sciatica, also known as lumbar radiculopathy, is a pain that originates along the sciatic nerve, which extends from the back of the pelvis down the back of the thigh.
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