The sciatic nerve is located in the back of the leg. It supplies
the muscles of the back of the knee and lower leg. The sciatic
nerve also provides sensation to the back of the thigh, part of the
lower leg, and the sole of the foot. Partial damage to the nerve
may demonstrate weakness of knee flexion (bending), weakness of
foot movements, difficulty bending the foot inward (inversion), or
bending the foot down (plantar flexion). A person's reflexes may be
abnormal, with weak or absent ankle-jerk reflex. Several different
tests can be performed to find the cause of sciatic nerve
dysfunction.
Review Date: 06/04/2011
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of
Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of
Medicine; and C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Assistant Professor, Chief,
Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Dept of Orthopaedic
Surgery. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director,
A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
