From the Research
Causes of Swollen Foot in Sciatica
- Swelling of the foot in the context of sciatica can be caused by the piriformis syndrome, which is a well-recognized cause of sciatica, leg pain, and low back pain due to the entrapment of the sciatic nerve in the piriformis and other rotator muscles 1.
- The piriformis syndrome can cause venous engorgement in the lower limb, leading to swelling of the leg and foot, due to the entrapment of nerves and vessels within the leg, secondary to a severe spasm and hypertrophy of the piriformis and other rotator muscles 1.
- Vascular compression syndrome of the sciatic nerve caused by gluteal varicosities can also lead to sciatica and swelling of the foot 2.
- Other possible causes of swollen foot in sciatica include deep venous thrombosis, which can occur independently of the piriformis syndrome 1.
Related Factors
- Sciatica is a symptom rather than a specific diagnosis, and is caused by a herniated lumbar disc in the vast majority of cases 3, 4.
- The clinical course of acute sciatica is generally favorable, with most pain and related disability improving within 2-4 weeks with or without treatment 4.
- Diagnosis of sciatica mainly involves history taking and physical examination, with imaging warranted if there is evidence of an underlying pathology other than disc herniation 4.