Can Restless leg Syndrome be caused by sciatic nerve damage?
Tuesday, February 10th, 2009 at
3:31 pm
merlin g asked:
I have ongoing back issues with documented sciatic. Does RLS happen because of sciatic nerve damage?
I have ongoing back issues with documented sciatic. Does RLS happen because of sciatic nerve damage?
Tagged with: Back Issues • Nerve Damage • Restless Leg Syndrome
Filed under: Restless Leg Syndrome
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Interestingly, the piriformis muscle can compress the sciatic nerve, causing both sciatica and possibly restless leg syndrome (Wittmaack-Ekbom’s syndrome).
This article discusses the connection:
Even more interestingly, the peroneal nerve derives from the sciatic nerve. Peroneal nerve compression (“entrapment”) or damage is also thought to cause RLS. The peroneal nerve also goes through the piriformis muscle.
No, RLS isn’t directly caused by sciatic damage. But in the human body, nerves and muscles are closely interwoven and damage/inflammation to one structure can cause symptoms in another structure.
I have sciatica. I also have occasional restless leg syndrome. Thank you for an interesting Question!