Diagnosis of Sciatica

[pdq1]

Why is it so difficult to get an instant diagnosis of sciatica when the test for it can easily be carried out. My other half has been suffering buttock, hip and leg pain for nearly 2 months and 3 doctors are no nearer to finding a relief.

[Sqad]

Sciatic ISN'T a disease, it is a symptom.

That means that there is a cause........e.g breathlessness is a symptom with many causes as is sciatica.

"Relief" as you put it, depends upon the cause.

[johnny37]

What is the test? I always thought a pain starting in the buttock and running down the back of the leg was a symptom of sciatica, for which there is no treatment other than painkillers.

[bednobs]

getting a "diagnosis" od sciatica won't mean relieving the pain will be any easier - as others have said it depends what's causing it

[pdq1]

I assumed sciatica was due to a trapped nerve in the spine. Surely ultrasound, manipulation and a scan to diagnose might be a start.

[nungate]

Don't know if this will help, but I suffered sciatica for years until a nurse friend of mine started doing reflexology, she suggested I give it a go and it cured it! Took two treatments a year apart as it returned after about a year and I've not had a twinge since, quite a few years ago now. If you can find a reputable reflexologist try it and see, meantime you know the little hollow above the heel on the inside of the ankle where that little bone sort of sticks out, massage that area gently and see if it helps to ease the discomfort.

[pdq1]

Thanks Nungate I will pass it on. She has also been recommended acupuncture.

[Sqad]

\\\\\Surely ultrasound, manipulation and a scan to diagnose might be a start.\\\\

Ultrasound would be of little value in my opinion in diagnosing the cause of sciatica.

Manipulation may be dangerous without a definitive diagnosis.

An MRI scan of the spine would be the next stage.

[pdq1]

Thanks Squad but when after 2/3 months without a diagnosis by the GP you are looking at ways to alleviate the pain. She would like to go for a scan but either due to costs or long waiting list has not been offered one. Therefore the ultrasound and manipulation are possible remedies to relieve some of the constant pain. I daresay if you were a private patient diagnosis and treatment would come a lot quicker.