Abstract
Study design:
Historical review.
Objectives:
Appraise history of concept of sciatica.
Setting:
Europe.
Methods:
Selected, original quotations and a historical review.
Results:
Evolution of ideas from hip disorders, through interstitial neuritis.
Conclusion:
Current concepts of discogenic sciatica.
Sponsorship:
None.
Similar content being viewed by others
Log in or create a free account to read this content
Gain free access to this article, as well as selected content from this journal and more on nature.com
or
References
Mixter WJ, Barr JS . Rupture of the intervertebral disc with involvement of the spinal canal. N Engl J Med 1934; 211: 210–214.
de Seze S . History of sciatica. Rev Neurol (Paris) 1982; 138: 1019–1025.
Hippocrates. The Genuine Works of Hippocrates (translated by Adams F). W Wood: New York, USA, 1929.
Postacchini F . The role of Europe in the spine — past and future perspectives Presidential Lecture, European Spine Society. Eur Spine J 1995; 4: 323–326.
Aegineta Paulus. The Seven Books of Paulus (translated by Adams F). Sydenham Society: London 1844.
Cotugno D . De ischiade nervosa commentaries. Naples, Simoni, 1764, pp 9–14. Cited by Schiller F (vide supra).
Pearce JMS . Domenico Cotugno, CSF and the origins of sciatica. In: Fragments of Neurological History. Imperial College Press: London 2003, pp 211–213.
Schiller F . Domenico Cotugno. In: Webb Haymaker and Francis Schiller (eds). The Founders of Neurology, 2nd edn, Charles C Thomas: Springfield, IL 1970, pp 19–23.
Luschka H . Von Handbuch der Topographischen Anatomie. Tubingen 1867 (quoted by Fick 1904).
Lasègue C . Considérations sur la sciatique. Arch Gen Med 1864, 558–560.
Pearce JMS . J-J Forst and Lasègue's Sign. JNNP 1988; 51: 1157.
Forst JJ . Contribution to the clinical study of sciatica. Translation of: 'Contribution a l'étude clinique de la sciatique. Thesis. Pour le doctoral en medecine (1881). Arch Neurol 1969; 21: 220–221.
Lazarevic LK . Ischias postica Contunnii: Ein Beitrag zu deren Differential-Diagnose. Allg Wien Med Ztg 1884; 29: 425–426 (et seq).
Oppenheim H, Krause F . Uber Einklemmung bzw. Strangulation der cauda equine. Dtsch Med Wochenschr 1909; 35: 697–700.
Brunori A, De Caro GM, Giuffre R . Surgery of lumbar disk hernia: historical perspective. Ann Ital Chir 1998; 69: 285–293.
Putti V . New concepts in the pathogenesis of sciatic pain. Lancet 1927; 2: 54–60.
Casuccio PC . Pioneers in Orthopaedics. Vittorio Putti, 1880–1940. http://www.diavlos.gr/orto96/ortowww/euputi.htm.
Dandy WE . Loose cartilage from the intervertebral disc simulating tumor of the spinal cord. Arch Surg 1929; 19: 660–662.
Parisien RC, Ball PA . William Jason Mixter (1880–1958). Ushering in the ‘dynasty of the disc’. Spine 1998; 23: 2363–2366.
Patwardhan RV, Hadley MN . History of surgery for ruptured disk. Neurosurg Clin N Am 2001; 12: 173–179.
Yasargil MG . Microsurgical operation for herniated lumbar disc. In: Wullenweber R, Brock M, Hamer J, Klinger M, Spoerri O (eds). Advances in Neurosurgery. Springer-Verlag: Berlin 1977, p 81.
Neurosurgery at the Massachusetts General Hospital – 1909 to 1983 – A Short History and Alumni Record. In: Zervas NT, Neurosurgical Staff (eds). Massachusetts General Hospital – 1st edn, 1984.
White JC . William Jason Mixter; 1880–1958. J Neurosurg 1958; 15: 581–584.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
There are no conflicting interests or financial support in this work. This paper has not been submitted to any other journal.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Pearce, J. A brief history of sciatica. Spinal Cord 45, 592–596 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.sc.3102080
Published:
Issue date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.sc.3102080
