[Uncomplicated herniated discs and sciatica: epidemiologic and semiotic aspects in 143 black African subjects].

Objectives: To study the epidemiologic and semiotic characteristics of uncomplicated sciatica in patients in a university hospital in Côte d'Ivoire.

Patients And Methods: This retrospective study included 143 patients with an uncomplicated herniated disc hospitalized in the Cocody University Hospital from 1998 through 2002; patients were excluded if they were excessively sensitive to pain, had related motor deficits, cauda equina syndrome, or were resistant to medical treatment.

Results: Patients' average age was 42.