Wallet sciatica

Wallet sciatica sounds funny right?? But isn't funny as the name. Wallet sciatica as the name suggests is pain caused due to wallet. It is also known as hip pocket syndrome and is commonly seen in males.
  The wallet consists of cards, licence, cash etc which makes it bulky and when you place it in the back pocket and sit on it causes discomfort and pain.

                       

  What exactly happens when you place the wallet in back pocket it pinches or presses against the sciatic nerve which lies just behind the hip joint thus eliciting pain or tingling in the area. The pain may be localised to the buttock region or sometimes may move down towards the leg or upwards towards the spine.                          The wallet not nly causes compression of the nerve but also affects the soft tissues like muscles and ligaments in the area.

                        

The other major complication of sitting on a wallet is change in the position of the pelvis.
The hip and the pelvis play a major role in maintaining the posture of an individual. When you sit over a wallet or a purse that side of the pelvis is placed slightly higher than the opposite one thus causing it to tilt to one side.

                             

The pelvis and hips are the foundation of the spine, everything that sits on that foundation will be affected by this wedge. If you wear your wallet in your back right pocket you will create a high right side and a slightly lower left side. The body will compensate for this by pulling the spine towards the side of the wallet (the right) to even out the imbalance, the head may also be pulled to one side to keep the eyes level with the floor.

The two halves of the pelvis can also rotate slightly due to a constant force being applied to one side and this may lead to sacroiliac joint dysfuntion .
If left untreated it shall lead to permanent changes on the spine n postural stress.

Not only carrying the wallet in the back pocket is a problem but also placing it in the front pocket while sitting or driving causes irritation and friction between the hip and torso thus further leading to other problems.
Hence always be aware that you are not sitting with a wallet or mobile or cards in any of your trouser pockets.
Also the symptoms of pain and restricted movement and decreased activity are common symptoms of a lot of other problems and hence proper diagnosis and treatment is necessary.