Case Report
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World J Clin Cases. Feb 16, 2014; 2(2): 39-41
Published online Feb 16, 2014. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v2.i2.39
Severe isolated sciatic neuropathy due to a modified lotus position
Jacob Wycher Bosma, Juerd Wijntjes, Ton Antonius Hilgevoord, Jan Veenstra
Jacob Wycher Bosma, Jan Veenstra, Department of Internal Medicine, Sint Lucas Andreas Hospital, 1061AE Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Juerd Wijntjes, Ton Antonius Hilgevoord, Department of Neurology, Sint Lucas Andreas Hospital, 1061 Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Author contributions: Bosma JW contributed to conception and design case history, drafting case history, final approval of the version to be published; Wijntjes J contributed to conception and design case history, performing and interpretation of electromyography, drafting case history, final approval of the version to be published; Hilgevoord TA contributed to performing and interpretation of electromyography, revising article for intellectual content, final approval of the version to be published; Veenstra J contributed to design case history, revising article for intellectual content, final approval of the version to be published.
Correspondence to: Jacob Wycher Bosma, MD, Department of Internal Medicine, Sint Lucas Andreas Hospital, Jan Tooropstraat 164, 1061AE Amsterdam, The Netherlands. jacob.bosma@slaz.nl
Telephone: +31-20-5108770 Fax: +31-20-5108955
Received: September 28, 2013
Revised: December 18, 2013
Accepted: January 15, 2014
Published online: February 16, 2014
Abstract

A 51-year-old man presented to our hospital with progressive pain and weakness in his right leg. Neurological examination revealed atrophy of all muscles of the right leg, unilateral foot drop and paralysis of the anterior tibial and gastrocnemicus muscles. Electromyography confirmed a severe isolated sciatic neuropathy in the thigh. For unclear reasons, our patient habitually used to sit in a modified lotus position. We concluded that this position, in literature known as “lotus neuropathy” had resulted in the sciatic neuropathy. After more than a year our patient was referred again to our outpatient clinic. At that time there was only minimal improvement, now with an achilles tendon contracture and pes equinus due to immobility.

Keywords: Sciatic neuropathy, Lotus neuropathy, Sciatic nerve

Core tip: In this case history we report on a patient with a severe isolated sciatic neuropathy with a foot drop, a complication of prolonged sitting in a modified lotus position. Although rare, similar reports of sciatic nerve injury due to external compression as a result of prolonged or repeated sitting in the same position have been reported. A so-called “lotus neuropathy” should be included in the differential diagnosis in patients presenting with a isolated sciatic neuropathy.