Abstract
1. Between 1936 and 1945, 525 patients with sciatic pain were treated at the Princess Elizabeth Orthopaedic Hospital, Exeter. Of these, 225 had neurological signs and they were selected for review; 147 were traced.
2. Of these, 123 were treated by means of plaster jackets and twenty-four were treated by other methods. The late results of treatment in the two groups were about the same, roughly one-third being "cured," one-third "relieved," and one-third "not relieved."
3. Nevertheless examination of the immediate results suggests that protection by means of a plaster jacket had at least a palliative effect, relieving acute symptoms and allowing early rehabilitation. Moreover it should be emphasised that in limiting the investigation to cases of sciatica with evidence of nerve root pressure only the more severe cases have been included.
4. Permanent relief after immobilisation in plaster was greatest when the duration of symptoms was short, and when the patient was treated during his first attack. It was least in patients who showed all three signs of nerve root pressureâdiminished ankle jerks, hypo-aesthesia, and muscle hypotonicity.
5. Absence of tendon reflexes due to nerve root pressure, and areas of hypo-aesthesia, tend to remain permanently; but diminution of reflexes and loss of muscle power may recover.
