Assessment of the Spine and Sciatica: Neuroanatomical Foundations and Their Clinical Application in Physiotherapeutic Practice

Sciatica remains one of the most common clinical presentations in physiotherapeutic and neurological practice. Despite the availability of standardized diagnostic approaches, the variability of clinical manifestations requires an integrative understanding of neuroanatomy and functional assessment. The aim of this study is to present the examination of the spine and sciatica from a perspective that combines neuroanatomical foundations with practical physiotherapeutic assessment, with particular emphasis on clinically relevant interpretation of symptoms. Effective assessment of sciatica requires not only knowledge of anatomy but also the ability to interpret clinical signs within a functional framework. Classical examination techniques remain clinically relevant when applied with anatomical awareness. This integrative approach supports more precise diagnosis and improves clinical decision-making in physiotherapy practice. • Integration of neuroanatomy with clinical examination of sciatica. • Functional interpretation of classical neurological tests. • Variability of clinical presentation in radicular syndromes. • Anatomy-based reasoning in physiotherapeutic diagnostics.