Abstract des Autors

When a patient has sciatica, the clinician looks first to the spine for the origin of symptoms. However, in the differential diagnosis other peripheral causes of sciatic pain should be considered. A case report of a patient suffering from the hamstring syndrome is presented. In this syndrome pain is felt over the area at the ischial tuberosity radiating down the back of the thigh. The pain is incurred by prolonged sitting, stretching of the affected leg and running fast. These symptoms are caused by sciatic nerve compression by tight, tendinous structures of the hamstring muscle at the area of its insertion into the ischial tuberosity. If conservative treatment fails, a surgical release of the sciatic nerve will be necessary. Verf.-Referat