Nerve pain caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve is known as sciatica. The term sciatica describes a set of symptoms that include pain, numbness, tingling, and/or burning that travels from the low back, down the buttock, and down the back of the thigh and leg, sometimes extending into the foot. There can be weakness in the leg or foot as well. In most cases, sciatica resolves spontaneously over weeks to months.
Symptoms
- Pain- may radiate from the back to the hip and down the outer side of the leg
- Pain may worsen with sitting
- Numbness, tingling and/or burning
- May travel from the low back, down the buttock, back of the thigh and leg, and sometimes extending into the foot.
- Weakness in the leg or foot
- Most often, only one side of the body is affected.
- If your symptoms include severe weakness in the leg(s), loss of bowel and/or bladder control, intractable pain, unexplained significant weight loss, and/or fevers, you should call the doctor immediately or go to the emergency room to be evaluated.
Causes
- Sciatica is most commonly caused by the compression of a nerve in the lumbar spine by a disc herniation.
- It most commonly affects only one side.
- Spondylolysthesis
- Diabetes is a common cause of peripheral neuropathy.
- Lumbar stenosis or narrowing of the spinal canal
- Other causes of leg pain, numbness, tingling, burning, and weakness include peripheral neuropathy, vascular disease, and piriformis syndrome.
- Pregnancy
Risk Factors
- Diabetes
- Pregnancy
- Obesity
- Age
- Degenerative disc disease
- Prolonged sitting
Prevention
- Regular exercise
- Proper posture
- Proper body mechanics
Diagnosis
- Your doctor will discuss your symptoms, review your medical history, and perform a thorough physical examination of your back.
- X-ray- To reveal any potential bone spurs or slipped vertebrae.
- MRI- Reveal potential herniated discs
- CT Scan
- Electromyography (EMG)- To confirm nerve compression from herniated discs or narrowing of the spinal canal.
Treatment
Most often, sciatica is treated non-surgically, however, there are surgical treatment options available for more severe cases.
- Medication
- NSAIDs
- Analgesics
- Cold Therapy- apply a cold pack or ice to the middle of your back for no more than 20 minutes at a time
- Rest- avoid twisting, lifting or sitting in a soft, low chair
- Physical Therapy
- Epidural Lumbar Steroid Injection
- Surgery for severe cases
