musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Sciatica
Diagnosis of Sciatica
Clinical evaluation Sometimes MRI, electrodiagnostic studies, or both Sciatica is suspected based on the characteristic pain. If it is suspected, strength, reflexes, and sensation should be tested. If there are neurologic deficits or if symptoms persist for>6 weeks, imaging and electrodiagnostic studies should be done. Structural abnormalities causing sciatica (including spinal stenosis) are most accurately diagnosed by MRI or CT. Electrodiagnostic studies can confirm the presence and degree of nerve root compression and can exclude conditions that may mimic sciatica, such as peroneal nerve palsy, Multiple Mononeuropathy , or 