Sciatic neuropathy

Abstract

Injuries to the sciatic nerve cause neurologic deficits in the peroneal and tibial nerve distributions. Interestingly, most injuries result in more severe deficits to the peroneal division compared to the tibial division. Thus, it can sometimes be difficult to distinguish sciatic neuropathy from peroneal neuropathy. The long course of the sciatic nerve leaves it vulnerable to nerve injury from a variety of causes. Most sciatic neuropathies are acute in onset, such as from hip arthroplasty and hip fracture or dislocation, but some occur from prolonged compression, such as during coma. Entrapment of the sciatic nerve by mass lesions or by the piriformis muscle is relatively rare.