Sciatica is pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, which is the largest nerve in the body. It starts in your lower back, runs through your hips and buttocks, and goes down each leg. Typically, sciatica affects only one side of your body. It is usually caused by a herniated disc, a bone spur on the spine, or a narrowing of the spine (spinal stenosis) that compresses part of the nerve.
The defining characteristic of sciatica is pain that travels from the lower spine to the buttock and down the back of the leg.
Radiating Pain: A sharp, burning, or electrical shock sensation that travels down the leg.
Numbness: A loss of feeling or a tingling pins and needles sensation in the foot or calf.
Weakness: Difficulty moving the leg or foot, or a feeling that the leg might buckle.
Positional Pain: Discomfort that often feels worse when sitting, coughing, or sneezing.
Lower Back Pain: While some back pain is common, the leg pain is usually much more severe than the back pain.
Physical Examination
MRI: Provides detailed images of the bone and soft tissues, allowing doctors to see exactly where the nerve is being pinched.
X-rays: Used to look for bone spurs or spinal misalignment (spondylolisthesis) that could be irritating the nerve.
Electromyography (EMG): Measures the electrical impulses produced by the nerves and the responses of your muscles to confirm nerve compression.
Most people with sciatica recover within a couple months with conservative treatment and do not require surgery.
Physical Therapy: Exercises to improve posture, strengthen the core, and increase flexibility in the lower back and hips.
Cold and Heat Therapy: Using ice packs to reduce inflammation in the first 48 hours, followed by heat lamps or heating pads to relax muscles.
NSAIDs: Over the counter medications like ibuprofen to manage pain and swelling.
Corticosteroid Injections: Medication injected around the irritated nerve root to reduce inflammation and provide temporary relief.
Surgery: Indicated when there are severe neurologic deficits or when conservative treatments have not helped.