Sciatica

(si-at'e-kah.) [Same der iv. ] (Med.) A painful and very obstinate neuralgia of the sciatic nerve. It is characterized by irregular pains about the hip, especially between the great trochanter of the thighbone and the bony proce on which the body rests when sitting, spreading into neighboring parts, and running down the back of the thigh to the leg and foot; or the pains may occupy only isolated parts, as the knee-joint, the calf of the leg, or the sole of tho foot. The treatment is the same as that of neuralgia generally, except when the disease is merely a complication of gout, in which case the primary disease must be attacked as well as the sciatica. [s. 804]