Understanding Sciatica: Causes, Symptoms, and Management

What is it?

Sciatica is the result of damage or injury to your sciatic nerve, characterized by pain that flows from your lower back through your buttock area and into your lower limb.
The leading cause of sciatica is spinal disc herniation, pressing on one of the nerve roots. Other causes include spinal stenosis, degenerative changes of the spine, piriformis syndrome, tumors and pregnancy.

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Signs & symptoms

The pain typically flows from the lower back through the buttock area and into your lower limb, usually on one side of the body only. Additional symptoms may include Weakness or numbness in various parts of the affected leg and foot.

Diagnosis

medical history and physical examination: your doctor will investigate whether you have had any recent injuries, where you feel the pain, how the pain feels and how it started. They will also perform a physical exam that will include a neurological exam to check your reflexes, sensation and motor function.
Additional tests may include:
* imaging studies – MRI, CT, X-rays
* nerve conduction tests

Treatment

treatment depends on the cause for sciatica and may include:
* rest and observation
* physical therapy
* medications – mainly pain and anti-inflammatory medications.
* surgery

☝️ This is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with your physician before making any medical decision.

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Source of Information - We analyze big data of more than 23 million patients de-identified medical records from the following sources:

National Institution of Health ∙ World Health Organization ∙ University of Illinois hospital