Sciatic nerve

The sciatic nerve, also called the ischiadic nerve, is a large

• The
  posterior compartment of the leg
  into the foot
• The
  common peroneal nerve), which travels down the anterior and lateral compartments of the leg
  into the foot

The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the human body.[1]^{: 422–4 [2][3]}

Development

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Function

The sciatic nerve supplies sensation to the skin of the foot, as well as the entire lower leg (except for its inner side). Sensation to skin to the sole of the foot is provided by the tibial nerve, and the lower leg and upper surface of the foot via the common fibular nerve.^{[1]: 422–4}

The sciatic nerve also innervates muscles. In particular:^{[1]: 422–4}

• Via the
  posterior compartment of the leg and sole of the foot (plantar aspect).^[a]
• Via the
  lateral compartments of the leg.^[b]

Pain caused by a compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve by a problem in the lower back is called

Sciatic nerve injury occurs between 0.5% and 2.0% of the time during a hip replacement.^[6] Sciatic nerve palsy is a complication of total hip arthroplasty with an incidence of 0.2% to 2.8% of the time, or with an incidence of 1.7% to 7.6% following revision.^[7] Following the procedure, in rare cases, a screw, broken piece of trochanteric wire, fragment of methyl methacrylate bone cement, or of a Burch-Schneider antiprofusio cage can impinge on the nerve; this can cause sciatic nerve palsy which may resolve after the fragment is removed and the nerve freed. The nerve can be surrounded in oxidized regenerated cellulose to prevent further scarring. Sciatic nerve palsy can also result from severe spinal stenosis following the procedure, which can be addressed by spinal decompression surgery.^[6][8] It is unclear if inversion therapy is able to decompress the sacral vertebrae; it may only work on the lumbar aspects of the sciatic nerves.

Sciatic nerve injury may also occur from improperly performed injections into the buttock, and may result in sensory loss.^[9]: 66

Other disease

Bernese periacetabular osteotomy resulted in major nerve deficits in the sciatic or femoral nerves in 2.1% of 1760 patients, of whom approximately half experienced complete recovery within a mean of 5.5 months.^[10]

Sciatic nerve exploration can be done by

• 
  Sciatic nerve.
• 
  Structures surrounding left hip-joint.
• 
  Nerves of the right lower extremity. Posterior view.
• 
  Sciatic nerve.
• 
  Sciatic nerve.
• 
  Sciatic nerve.

See also

• Lesser sciatic notch
• Greater sciatic notch

Notes