Dr. Gregory
Kolwaite |
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Sciatic pain not always a disc problem
Question:
Doctor, can you help me? I have been suffering from sciatica for several months. I have seen my primary doctor and an orthopedic specialist who took X-rays and an MRI, which showed nothing. I was given an anti-inflammatory, which does not help.
What could the problem be?
- Anne, Frankfort
Answer:
Sometimes symptoms of sciatica don't always come from the spine. If an MRI ruled out a disc problem, you may have Piriformis Syndrome (PS).
The piriformis is a muscle that lies deep in the gluteal muscles, it originates at the sacrum (tailbone) and inserts in the greater trochanter (large bony bump on the outside of the hip). It functions as an external rotator of the hip.
The sciatic nerve originates from the spine just above the sacrum and travels underneath the piriformis before traveling down the leg.
Sciatic problems can start when the piriformis muscle tightens and compresses the nearby sciatic nerve.
Symptoms include leg pain, calf pain, buttock pain, leg weakness, difficulty walking.
Symptoms are made worse by sitting and inactivity. The difference between true sciatica and PS is the lack of back pain with PS.
The good news is, PS can usually be cleared up with some very simple stretches administered by a chiropractor or physical therapist.
Dr. Gregory Kolwaite, whose column appears monthly in the Observer-Dispatch, operates Adirondack Chiropractic at 4947 Commercial Drive, Yorkville 13495. If you have a question, you can write to him at his office address or call 768-7578. The Web site is: www.adirondackchiro.com.
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