Sciatica doesn't mean you have a herniated disc!

I just did a recent reel on my IG: drkevinkwlee_chiro about a common misconception regarding SCIATICA. Check it out if you got like 10 seconds in your day and have a quick read - OR just stick it out here and spend another few minutes and read about SCIATICA.

I’ve had a number of patients walk into the clinic and they will say - “OMG doc! I’ve got sciatica because there is pain down my leg and so this probably means I’ve got a herniated disc!?”

Unfortunately - that’s incorrect.

TRUE SCIATICA is the compression of the sciatic nerve in the pelvic region. Often it gets compressed by the piriformis muscle there for sciatica tends to be associated with PIRIFORMIS SYNDROME.

A RADICULOPATHY is when there is compression of the nerve roots that are exiting from the spine. The compression is often caused by a bulging disc, a herniated disc, or osteophytes (a bony prominence on the vertebrae). Back pain and sciatic-like symptoms may also be present in a radiculopathy.

Again, the main difference is when someone is experiencing sciatic where the compression of the nerve is. If the compression of the nerve is within the spine - it’s more likely to be a RADICULOPATHY. If the compression is in the pelvis - then it’s most likely PIRIFORMIS SYNDROME. A less common occurence is that a patient can have nerve compression at the spine or in the pelvis. We call that DOUBLE CRUSH SYNDROME.

At end of it, a detailed HISTORY and a thorough ASSESSMENT leads you to an appropriate DIAGNOSIS and conservative TREATMENT.

Peace.