Sciatic Nerve Exam

Look

 

Wasting of anterior & lateral compartments leg

Scars at fibula head

Masses

Feet for dystrophic changes

Back - surgery / dystrophic changes

Hip - scars

 

Gait

 

Foot drop gait, high stepping, slapping

 

Feel 

 

Along CPN

 

Tinel’s

 

Sensation Tibial nerve

- sole of foot

 

Sensation CPN

- SPN dorsum of foot

- DPN 1st webspace

 

Move

 

Tibial nerve

- hamstrings

- T. Ach

- FHL

- FDL

 

CPN

- T. Ant (L4)

- EHL (L5) – often 1st damaged as most prox br

- EDL (L5,S1) – isolated with ankle in DF

- PL & PB (L5,S1) – eversion & palpate

 

DDx

 

L5 v Sciatic / Tibial

- examine Abductors (L5)

 

CPN above knee v below knee

- short head biceps EMG