title: Clinical and electrodiagnostic features of sciatic neuropathies.
abstract: Sciatic neuropathy is the second most common neuropathy of the lower extremity and a common cause of foot drop. This article reviews the anatomy, clinical features, pathophysiology, and electrodiagnostic assessment of sciatic neuropathies. There are multiple potential sites of pathology, determined in part by the mechanism of insult, including trauma, compression, masses, inflammation, and vascular lesions. Diagnosis is augmented by careful electrodiagnostic studies and imaging to help distinguish sciatic neuropathy from other sources of pathology. Electrodiagnostic studies may also help in assessing for early recovery and in determining prognosis.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neuromuscular Diseases, Department of Neurology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. jdistad@uw.edu
authors.forename: B Jane
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Distad
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Weiss
mesh_terms: D002081:Buttocks / Q000294:innervation; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004568:Electrodiagnosis; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000209:etiology; D006615:Hip / Q000294:innervation; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009431:Neural Conduction; D020427:Peroneal Neuropathies / Q000175:diagnosis; D011379:Prognosis; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D020426:Sciatic Neuropathy / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed