Sciatica and Sciatic Nerve Pain

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica is a common type of pain affecting the sciatic nerve, a large nerve extending from the lower back down the back of each leg.  "Sciatica" is a term used to describe symptoms that are caused by compression of the sciatic nerve that runs from the spinal cord to the buttock and hip area and down the back of each leg. In medical terminology, "sciatica" refers to radiculitis of the lumbosacral spine - pressure on the nerve root at its connection to the spinal column that causes pain that radiates along the sciatic nerve. 

Sciatica is a common cause for lower back pain. The radiating pain of sciatica can signal problem involving the nerve, such as a herniated disc.

Symptoms of Sciatica

Common symptoms of sciatica include:

• Pain in the rear or leg that is worse when sitting
• Burning or tingling down the leg
• Weakness, numbness, or difficulty moving the leg or foot
• A constant pain on one side of the rear
• A shooting pain that makes it difficult to stand up
• Sciatica usually affects only one side of the lower body. Often, the pain extends from the lower back all the way through the back of the thigh and down through the leg. Depending on where the sciatic nerve is affected, the pain may also extend to the foot or toes.

For some people, the pain from sciatica can be severe and debilitating. For others, the pain from sciatica might be infrequent and irritating, but has the potential to get worse.

Seek immediate medical attention with any symptoms of progressive lower extremity weakness and/or loss of bladder or bowel control.

What Causes Sciatica?

Sciatica is caused by irritation of the root(s) of the lower lumbar and lumbosacral spine.

Additional common causes of sciatica include:

Lumbar spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal in the lower back)
Degenerative disc disease (breakdown of discs, which act as cushions between the vertebrae)
Spondylolisthesis (a condition in which one vertebra slips forward over another one)