Sciatica Symptoms: Methods Of Diagnosis

Sciatica symptoms may be in the form of sharp pain, electrical shock sensations, or burning that begins in the buttock area and may extend down the back part of the leg, often going all the way to the foot. Not all such symptoms are true sciatica though, and they may be caused by different factors in different people.

True sciatica is caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve or one or more of its component nerves which branch off from the lower spinal cord in the low back. These component nerves join together in the pelvis to form the sciatic nerve which then runs down the back of each leg. In most cases of true sciatica, the cause is a herniation or bulge of one of the lower discs in the spine.

Sciatica symptoms may also result from a condition known as piriformis syndrome. The piriformis is a muscle that extends from the sacrum at the lower end of the spine to the hip, and it can cause pressure on the sciatic nerve. The piriformis can also develop knots of contraction known as trigger points which can cause referred pain that closely mimics true sciatica (sciatic nerve irritation).

There are a number of ways to diagnose the cause of sciatica symptoms. Physical examination by a doctor will typically produce a pretty reliable diagnosis, but in most cases an MRI or CT scan will be ordered to look at the discs and further evaluate the source of problems and their severity. Such imaging studies are sometimes performed with special dyes to make the structures being viewed easier to see.

In some cases, electrodiagnostic testing through procedures like EMG (electromyography) and/or NCV (nerve conduction velocity) may be performed to evaluate the condition of the nerve and find out the extent of any nerve damage that may be present.

When the sciatic nerve itself is ruled out, the piriformis muscle becomes the prime suspect as the cause of symptoms.

Once diagnostic testing has determined the cause of sciatica symptoms, then the most appropriate plan of treatment can be implemented and there is a much better chance of recovery.

 

About the Author:

Dr. George Best has been practicing in San Antonio, Texas for 15 years.. For additional information, please see his article on Sciatica Symptom Relief or visit his Sciatica website.