If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Your sciatic nerve begins at your spinal cord, runs through your hips and buttocks, and then branches down each leg.
It has a direct effect on your ability to control and feel your legs. Sciatica is a sensation that can manifest itself as a moderate to severe pain in your back, buttocks, and legs. You may also feel weakness or numbness in these areas. Sciatica is a symptom caused by an underlying injury to your sciatic nerve or an area that affects the nerve, such as your vertebrae, which are the bones in your neck and back. As many as 40 percent of people will get it at some point during their lives.
It becomes more frequent as you age. Sciatica is a very distinct type of symptom. Sciatica is the result of damage or injury to your sciatic nerve, so other symptoms of nerve damage are usually present with the pain. Other symptoms may include the following:. Sciatica can be caused by several conditions that involve your spine and can affect the nerves running along your back.
It can also be caused by an injury, for example from falling, or spinal or sciatic nerve tumors. Your vertebrae, or spinal bones, are separated by pieces of cartilage. Cartilage is filled with a thick, clear material to ensure flexibility and cushioning while you move around. Herniated disks occur when the first layer of the cartilage rips. The substance inside can compress your sciatic nerve, resulting in lower limb pain and numbness.
Spinal stenosis is also called lumbar spinal stenosis. This narrowing puts pressure on your spinal cord and your sciatic nerve roots. Spondylolisthesis is one of the associated conditions of degenerative disk disorder.
When one spinal bone, or vertebra, extends forward over another, the extended spinal bone can pinch nerves that make up your sciatic nerve.
Piriformis syndrome is a rare neuromuscular disorder in which your piriformis muscle involuntarily contracts or tightens, causing sciatica. Your piriformis muscle is the muscle that connects the lower portion of your spine to your thighbones.
When it tightens, it can put pressure on your sciatic nerve, leading to sciatica. Piriformis syndrome can worsen if you sit for long periods, fall, or experience a car crash. Certain behaviors or factors can raise your risk of developing sciatica. The most common factors for developing sciatica include the following:. In rare cases, a herniated disc can press on nerves that cause you to lose control of your bowel or bladder.
This condition is known as cauda equina syndrome. It can also cause numbness or tingling in your groin area, decreased sexual sensation, and paralysis if left untreated. This disorder often develops slowly. To diagnose sciatica, your doctor will first want to get your full medical history. This includes whether you have had any recent injuries, where you feel the pain, and how the pain feels. It often can be for patients simply trying to navigate a way out of chronic pain.
It will explain what typically causes such pain, risk factors you should know about, how to avoid such discomfort, when it constitutes a medical emergency, and how to treat it. This guide will also highlight various myths related to sciatic nerve pain that might harm rather than help.
The causes of sciatic nerve pain always come back to the same thing: the sciatic nerve. Anything that irritates or compresses this nerve can lead to it. Most individuals experience disc degeneration as they age.
While displaced discs might be the most common cause of sciatic nerve pain, there may be other causes including:. Sciatica can serve as a wake-up call for patients. Whether the underlying cause is severe, or relatively benign, such persistent pain indicates that you need to see a doctor and get a diagnosis. You might think that older adults are the most at-risk demographic for developing sciatic pain symptoms. It may happen as a result of the general wear and tear of aging, plus any sudden pressure on the disks that cushion the bones vertebrae of your lower spine.
Indeed, the nature of sciatica pain — which basically always involves some pressure on or damage to the sciatic nerve — means a wide range of individuals may have to face it.
Some may find it surprising to learn that pregnant women often develop sciatic nerve pain when the uterus presses against the sciatic nerve. A study published in Physiotherapy Research International discovered five risk factors: age, history of lower back pain, a history of smoking, obesity, and work-related activities i.
Understanding risk factors associated with the disease process may enable clinicians to target preventative interventions in an attempt to address possible risks and subsequently prevent a primary episode. Because the majority of risk factors associated with sciatic nerve pain can be ameliorated by dedicated patients, one encouraging thought is that you have a fair bit of control over avoiding or preventing it.
First steps involve losing weight, ceasing smoking, and modifying heavy lifting at work. For instance, if your job requires you to shift bulky objects, make sure that you are using correct form i. Similarly, embarking on a smoking cessation program will not only help with any sciatic nerve pain, it will also improve your health in general.
Finally, carrying too much weight can lead to all sorts of back problems, not just sciatica. Also, remaining physically active is one of the best sciatic pain treatments available. The pain often is associated with tingling, numbness, or weakness of the leg. It may be sudden in onset and can persist for days or weeks. But that general definition misses out on some important particulars.
The weakness caused by sciatic nerve pain can manifest as a lack of strength in the knee or ankle in a single leg. Others may discover that they have the urge to urinate far more frequently. Weakness or the need to urinate can indicate far more serious medical conditions. Not everyone will need medical care for sciatica. Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve is pinched, damaged, or irritated, and can happen for a number of reasons.
Many cases of sciatica will not require medical attention. In more severe cases, it is important to determine and treat the original cause of sciatic pain since sciatica is a symptom of another problem.
Sciatic pain varies widely between people. Some may feel a mild tingling or ache, while others may find it difficult to even move. Only you know how you feel. Severe cases of sciatica may require medical attention, depending on the cause. Mild sciatica usually goes away on its own and can be treated at home. Speak with your doctor if you are experiencing severe or chronic pain. Nerve pain can be difficult to treat, depending on the cause, and may require injections or surgery to reduce symptoms.
By promoting good back health, however, most people can reduce the chances of developing back problems. Practicing good spine health habits now will reduce your chances of developing spinal problems later.
We are experienced in diagnosing and treating all types of back-related pain and injuries, ranging from trauma to tumors and more. Make an appointment today! Spine Surgery. Blog Home. Author Florida Medical Clinic.
0コメント