The words we use: where did lumbago and sciatica come from?

Abstract

Aim

To understand the words used to describe the lower limb manifestations of low back pain.

Methods

The literature was reviewed using the term ‘sciatica’ on databases Pubmed, Embase, TRIP, CINAHL, Amed, and other resources. The derivation of the words ‘Lumbago’ and ‘Sciatica’ was traced.

Results

The words lumbago and sciatica appear to have their origins in Latin and Greek and their use in classical texts and in some old and modern European languages is shown.

Discussion and conclusions

Pain radiating from the back and down the leg was originally described in terms of the pain's anatomical location, as the cause of these pains was generally obscure in historical times.

Keywords:

• Lumbago
• Pain radiation
• Radicular pain
• Referred pain
• Sciatica