Class 5 - Sacral Plexus Pathologies

Question 1

The sacral plexus is composed of the ventral rami of __ to ___

Answer 1

L4 to S4

Question 2

Sciatic nerve contains what nerve roots?

Answer 2

L4-S3

Question 2

Common causes of sciatica include (list some)

Answer 2

herniated disc
dislocated hip
spinal stenosis
piriformis syndrome
pelvis injury or fracture
uterine pressure during pregnancy
tumors

Question 3

Sciatic pain is usually __lateral and varies widely. It usually starts slowly and can be worsened by:

Answer 3

Unilateral

prolonged sitting
prolonged standing
sneezing, coughing, or laughing
bending backward or walking further than a few yards (especially if d/t stenosis)

Question 4

Sciatica often gets better with ___ but commonly does/does not return. Bed rest is/is not recommended.

Answer 4

time, does return, IS NOT

Question 5

Piriformis exits the pelvis via the _____

Answer 5

greater sciatic notch

Question 6

Piriformis syndrome most frequently occurs in what decades of life? In what occupations? More common in men or women?

Answer 6

all occupations and activity levels
40’s & 50’s
M/C in women

Question 7

Postural/positional concerns that relate to piriformis syndrome include:

Answer 7

sitting on one foot
driving for long periods
pregnancy

Question 8

Pudendal nerve compression (possibly d/t piriformis syndrome) may include symptoms like:

Answer 8

perineal and inguinal pain, painful intercourse for women and impotence in men
pudendal neuralgia can cause both anal and bladder incontinence

Question 9

SI dysfunction, buttock pain, gluteal muscle atrophy, low back/buttock/posterior thigh pain and weakness during abd/flex/IR of the affected hip are all possible symptoms of:

Answer 9

piriformis syndrome

Question 10

The tarsal tunnel refers to the canal between…

Answer 10

the medial malleolus of the tibia and the flexor retinaculum

Question 11

Tarsal tunnel syndrome involves compression of which nerve in the tarsal tunnel?

Answer 11

tibial nerve

Question 12

Posterior tibial neuralgia is also called

Answer 12

tarsal tunnel syndrome

Question 13

Shooting pain in the foot that is often worse at night + paresthesia/numbness and tingling/burning sensations are also possible symptoms of:
The nighttime pain can help differentiate this condition from…

Answer 13

tarsal tunnel syndrome

plantar fasciitis

Question 14

What is Freidreich ataxia?

Answer 14

a rare, inherited disease causing progressive nervous system damage and movement problems

Question 15

What condition is: genetic disorder where impaired mitochondrial function leads to degeneration of muscles (dysarthria, dysphagia, scoliosis, spasticity, ataxia, etc)

The earliest sign of this disease is usually…

Answer 15

Freidrich’s ataxia

DIFFICULTY WALKING/POOR BALANCE. another early sign is: dysarthria (slow, slurring speech)