Muscle Weakness and Wasting in Sciatica Due to Fourth Lumbar or Lumbosacral Disc Herniations

Abstract
With the aid of electromyography 66 patients with sciatica due to 4th lumbar or lumbosacral disc herniation were examined for muscular disturbances. In 41 cases of 4th lumbar disc herniation, muscles of the extensor group were affected as follows[long dash]M. extensor digitorum brevis, 85%; M. extensor hallicus longus, 46%; M. tibialis anterior, 41%. In 13% of the cases there was weakness of the muscles of the flexor group as well. In 25 cases of lumbosacral disc herniation muscles were affected in only 10% of cases, equally divided between the extensor and flexor group.