How Bad is Your Sciatica? Let's Check for Nerve Root Damage.

I just stumbled on your site happenstance as you so eloquently described it. I had a crippling bout of sciatica back in October that prostrated me for five weeks. MUCH worse than childbirth, that’s for sure. I presented at the E.D. In the nearby town, and after leaving me for several hours I finally saw a doctor who had no sympathy or advice and sent me home in the care of my 88 year old husband. Three of my toes were numb. I woke one morning to zero pain. Oh the relief, and better still, it never returned. I have since seen an orthopaedic specialist who has written a referral to E.D. With instructions for treatment if the pain comes back. I wish I had stumbled on your site when I was in the greatest pain of my life.

As a person who has Sciatica, this test is reassuring, I have no nerve damage; to date. Thanks Dr. Gillard!

Hi guys, wow! Over 700,000 views! I had no idea! I really appreciate you guys watching the videos. I just made a video similar to this one, only geared for patients with possible nerve root damage from cervical disc herniation and/or cervical stenosis. You will learn how to test the four main muscle groups of the upper extremities in this video. You can watch it at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Alt6gZIF1_E

Thanks Doc....it has helped me too understand my situation. It's a shame I am in the part of the world that people with little knowledge suffer big due luck of knowledge. Thanks for enlightening me up..I have had this problem for 5days now and no progress but I can see the light ahead by going through your videos.

Hello Dr.G. I’m 65 male. Had laminectomy discectomy 1.7 years ago. Walked out if hospital, pain gone,was in heaven. Now sciatica is back. Started 2 months ago, primary ordered a new mri with contrast for Dr. ling in Spokane. Brilliant original surgeon. Well recommended. Best neuro in Spokane. Anyway.i have to sit in bed for 20 min, for pain to go away.before I can walk a bit. And leaning over feels better. Used to walk 2 miles a day, now no walking.using 2 canes if I have to walk far to lean over on. I was un aware that reverse back stretching was bad. I was doing a ton, everyday. Started in June. I think I hurt myself. Strength test on toe and heel and calf seem ok.did them before sitting, so terrible pain. I’ve learned so much. Makes me feel more in control knowing what’s going on. Thank you for your videos. I was a bit confused about the lecture to not wait past 4 months for successful surgery. And that study out 10 years. The surgery patients and non end up at the same place. The non surgery patient must suffer for 3 to 5 years. I believe that is unreasonable. I must be a real wimp because there is no way I could last 3 to 5 years with my sciatica. My wife would leave me, my life would be over. I believe what a patient wants to know is am I doing permanent damage by waiting. And this back shots at 1000 dollars apiece, insurance doesn’t pay. Did nothing for the pain. I had a nerve test before surgery for ling. The guy stuck me 30 times and said I can’t find any problem. Then he stuck me and said there it is, I didn’t know what he was talking about till I watched your video. Rambling now. Thank you Dave.

Thank you doc. I'm relieved to find after doing these tests that I do not have nerve root damage so far

Thank you Mr Gillard for this video and a huge Thank You for making this video with SUBTITLES for us people who live in the "Silent World" and those who are Deaf,Your video was full of information and I found it informitive and educational ,Greetings from Maghera,Northern Ireland

I wish I'd found your generous information before the VA botched my back surgery, leaving me what probably is permanent nerve damage. The quality of care for veterans is horrible and a national shame. Yet, because we don't pay cash for services (some us paid more dearly), we can't complain when we wake from back surgery with feet swollen, numb and dropped (both), symptoms that had nothing to do with the lower back sciatica that brought me to the "surgeon". I really wish I'd learned more and trusted less. I've recommended your channel to the Vietnam Veterans of America to send out in their newsletters.

Not sure about these tests. I have severe lumbar stenosis, principally on the right hand side, and I passed all 3 of his tests easily!

I'm here trying to make sense of my medical chart!! My dr tells me I'm fine treats me like a whiner I'm here to make sure I can assert myself for proper medical care thank you for this video.

This is very helpful, I am very glad I saw this video. Thanks for posting this. Now I know my doctor has to believe me, because I will show him the proof. I knew I was having nerve problems for a long time undiagnosed. And I definitely can say now that my L5 nerve is damaged. The first exercise check was key. The last exercise when standing up and flexing up with both feet, I can definitely tell my left leg is struggling, because it keeps shaking as I flex upward and downward and now I know where one of the problems is. I was standing up one day and I was shaking in the legs, and could not feel which or what was causing the shaking. I could not tell if my hips were the problem causing the shaking or the leg or legs were the problem. I was more like tremoring down somewhere at the time. My brain was confusing and I was puzzled. I’ve been trying to tell my doctor that I have been having nerve problems and he does not seem to believe me fully. I suspected MS, because of all the other extra MS symptoms I had together. So at least now I can address this problem with him, when I see him next when my spine MRI result comes in. Funny thing is, my reflex on my right arm and right knee don’t show reflex signs when hit in the right spot where the nerve is. I get no reflex or pain, I also feel less pain on right parts of body if I slap or pinch myself even, things like that. I have more sensitivity to hot and cold feeling and can’t always tell if I really am feeling things or am I just feeling the hot and cold from my hands and fingers. Yet I can move everything. My gait walk changes from time to time as well. And this is also why I need a referral to a neurologist.

I have recurrent sciatica pain . I first got it when I was 15 . I am 21 now . I still get it . For some months I am free from this pain completely then suddenly I get sciatica and this usually lasts for atleast 2 months . It's never on one leg . It keeps shifting sometimes on left leg sometimes on right . Somedays become so unbearable that I am afraid to sleep on bed . On somedays it is manageable. This time when I got it in my right leg I overused my left leg as a result got unbearable foot pain in left side . My pain was mainly on top of foot (L5) but is now on entire foot mainly on sides connected with L5 and S1. I can walk on my heels but I face huge difficulty on walking on my toes . I also can't do ups and down with my left foot when I put my right leg behind my calf .

After seeing numerous orthopedic surgeons, I finally got sent to a neurosurgeon who laid me down on the table and pulled on my big toe and I couldn’t resist at all. Told me I had a herniated disc, and immediately sent me for an mri to confirm it, mine was a workmen’s comp injury and was a nightmare getting them to pay for the surgery. I was amazed at his little test and wondered why it took so long to for it to be found. Workmans comp sucks.

Interesting. I was having sciatica for years off and on, finally got really bad after a few minutes of bending over pulling weeds. I went to my primary who got an MRI ordered, from there a neurosurgeon. He did the first big toe test and immediately told me I needed surgery. I was scheduled for a few days later. I had been having trouble emptying my bladder (could still but it took several tries to fully feel empty) and was sliding my right foot along the floor rather than really picking it up. Having intermittent feelings of what I thought was neuropathy tingling bottom of feet but not a diabetic so that was odd. Now I know what levels were involved. I had surgery 9 days ago now and except for back soreness from the incision, feeling better. I need to see if I can start walking but I really want to go back to my swimming routine and that has to wait another 3 weeks. Thank you very much for the detailed explanation. These kind of videos are the kind of education everyone needs and no one gets. Shown more in school, more people would go into these medical fields.

My work area is in sports so I want to know more test related to sciatica it will help for athletes if they will suffer this problem . Thank you sir for this valuable test showed in this video

Thank you Doctor , your video helped me to understand my problems,although much too late after multiple FBS (Failed Back Surg. ) by few incompetent ortho- docs . When a person is in bad shape & suffering with intractable pain / her/ his family members MUST help by doing background work on specific doctors to assure that their surgery is done by competent physician. Sadly ,the Effect is for life

I had major back rebuild with screws plates disc fusions l4 l5 s1 in Feb this year. Fine until last week I was going on a hike I was on my way to the hike I was in the truck with my husband and we arrived at the park and I realized as I tried to get out of the truck and I could hardly move I did manage to get my legs out but my my spine felt like it was on fire and now my leg hurts just to move it in any direction I was watching your video about raising your foot up and down and so forth and all right foot will not raise up off the ground I have an appointment Monday to get a CAT scan and then I see the doctor Friday but this does not look good I mean on the way to the park I could feel something happening in my back it didn't feel right and when I got to the parking lot it felt like something fell apart doesn't make sense I just wanted to thank you for your video though it showed a couple of simple tests that anyone could do

GOSH! I've just had a good sob! I tore my achilles back in 2017 and well after healing I kept saying to an renowned ortho and various pt's that I can't get my foot off the ground and was poo poo'ed and yet here you have just explained my issue. I have been having progressive issues with IT Band and knee etc. Thank You this was a huge breakthrough.

Great to see your video. Am a Yoga Guru in India 🇮🇳. Nice. Thanks

I been feeling numbness on my little toe with weak ankle flexion, i got my mri from my lumbar spine and this was the result: IMPRESSION: 1. Small posterior disc protrusion L5-S1 with mass effect upon the right greater than left S1 nerve root and right greater than left lateral recess narrowing and foraminal narrowing. 2. Mild degenerative disc disease and diffuse facet joint degeneration is otherwise appreciated throughout the lumbar spine.