ANATOMY
It is the thickest nerve of the body. Terminated from lumbosacral
plexus
ROOT VALUE:-L4,L5,S1,S2
Ventral division of ventral rami of L4,L5,S1,S2 TIBIAL NERVE
Dorsal division of ventral rami of L4,L5,S1,S2 COMMON
PERONEAL NERVE
MOTOR SUPPLY
1. Hamstring (biceps femoris, semitendinosus, semimembranous,
ischialpart of adductor magnus)
2. Tibialnerve muscles –gastrocnemius, plantaris, soleus,
popliteus, tibialisposterior, flexor digitorumlongus, flexor
halluces longus
3. Common peroneal nerve muscles –tibialisanterior, extensor
halluces longus, extensor digitorumlongus, extensor digitorum
brevis, peroneus tertius, peroneus longus, peroneus brevis
P/B :-DR NIYATI PATEL 4
P/B :-DR NIYATI PATEL 5
CAUSES
• Penetrating wounds around the pelvis
• Fractures of the pelvis and femur
• Dislocation of the hip joint
• Badly placed intramuscular injections in the
gluteal region
• Compression within the pelvis by a neoplasm or
foetal head
PIRIFORMIS SYNDROME -Nerve may undergo
entrapment or compression by piriformismuscle
as it traverses the sciatic notch.
P/B :-DR NIYATI PATEL 6
SIGN & SYMPTOMS
Sensory
There will be complete loss of sensation below the knee
except for the area that is supplied by the femoral
nerve (saphenous nerve).
The autonomous zone for the sciatic nerve is the heel,
the skin over the metatarsal head in the sole, the
dorsum of the feet as far as medially up to the second
metatarsal as well as a small strip of the lateral aspect
of the leg.
P/B :-DR NIYATI PATEL 7
Motor
The muscles that will be paralyzed are biceps femoris,
semimembranous, semi tendinous, hamstring part of
adductor magnus.
All the muscles supplied by the tibialand common
peroneal which are the branches of the sciatic nerve
will also be paralyzed.
P/B :-DR NIYATI PATEL 8
Deformity
The patient will have flail leg with foot drop.
There may be clawing of toes with trophic ulceration.
Tropic ulcers develop due to lack of sensation over the
foot.
Gait -Steppage gait
Functional disabilities -Ptis dependent for functional
activities such as walking, squatting, dressing, transfers,
toilet activities
Reflex–Hamstring & Ankle jerks diminishes
P/B :-DR NIYATI PATEL 9
INVESTIGATION
RADIOGRAPH :-shows whether there is presence of fracture
MRI :-To delineate complete avulsion of nerve roots
SD CURVE:-abnormality in conduction can be verified.
Sharp curve, long chronaxie, low rheobaseand the absence
of contraction with repetitive stimuli indicates
denervation. If it is done 2-3 weeks after injury, it shows
the sign of denervation and to find out whether it is
moderate or severe injury
NCV:-To find out the severance of nerve fiberswith
walleriandegeneration.
EMG:-it will help to find out reversible and irreversible
nerve damage and will help map out whether it pre
ganglionic/ post ganglionic lesion
P/B :-DR NIYATI PATEL 10
TYPES OF INJURIES
In Neuropraxia pain, numbness, muscle
weakness, minimal muscle wasting is present.
Recovery occurs within minutes to days
In Axonotmesis there is pain, evident
muscle wasting, complete loss of motor,
sensory and sympathetic functions. Recovery
time–months (axon regeneration at 1-1.5
mm/day)
In Neurotmesis no pain, complete loss of
motor, sensory and sympathetic functions.
Recovery time –months and only with
surgery
P/B :-DR NIYATI PATEL 11
SPECIAL TESTS
SLR TEST
P/B :-DR NIYATI PATEL 12
TREATMENTS
IG stimulation to the paralysed muscles
Passive movements
TA stretching
Splintage: Night splints such as L splints may be given
mainly to prevent foot drop and contractures of the
plantar flexors. As the patient has intact quadriceps knee
stability is not affected hence below knee calipersuch as
ankle foot orthosismay be prescribed that will help the
patient to be ambulatory in a much comfortable manner
Padded foot wear or microcellular rubber foot wear
Metatarsal bar may be given to the foot wear to prevent
metatarsal drop
Care of anaesthetic foot
P/B :-DR NIYATI PATEL 13