From the Research
Causes of Foot Spasms Associated with Sciatica
- Foot spasms associated with sciatica can be caused by various factors, including:
- Compression of the sciatic nerve due to a herniated lumbar disc 1, 2
- Inflammation and compression of the nerve root 2
- Compression of the sciatic nerve by the piriformis muscle, also known as piriformis syndrome 3
- Unusual anatomical relationships between the sciatic nerve and local muscles 4
- Posterior intervertebral osteoarthritis and lumbar canal stenosis 5
- The clinical presentation of sciatica can vary, and foot spasms can be a symptom of radicular sciatica, which is caused by compression of the L5 or S1 root 5
- In some cases, foot spasms can be caused by peripheral sciatica, which is usually caused by compression of the external popliteal nerve around the neck of the fibula, or by compression of a ramus from the internal popliteal nerve, resulting in tarsal tunnel syndrome or Morton's syndrome 5
Mechanisms of Sciatic Pain
- Sciatic pain can be due to many causes, including mechanical and inflammatory processes around the disc and the nerve root 2, 5
- The herniation of the disc can be visualized by lumbar computerized tomography or by radiculography, but discal herniation alone does not fully account for the pain suffered 5
- Inflammatory processes around the disc and the nerve root play an important role in the development of sciatic pain 2, 5
Diagnosis and Treatment
- Diagnosis of sciatica mainly involves history taking and physical examination 1, 2
- Imaging studies, such as MRI, can be used to visualize soft tissues and diagnose underlying pathologies 1
- Conservative treatment, including medication and physiotherapy, is usually helpful for the majority of patients with sciatica 1, 2, 3