Pain caused by sciatica or pinched nerve originates in the gluteal or buttock area. The sciatic nerve is the thickest and longest nerve in the body. Injury to the sciatic nerve is considered rare.
The term sciatica is often used to refer to any pain that starts in the lower back and travels down the leg. The condition usually only affects one side of the body. Sciatica occurs when a bone spur or a herniated disc compresses part of the nerve. The condition can cause pain, inflammation, and numbness in the affected leg.
While pain associated with the condition can be severe, most cases won’t need sciatic nerve surgery or pinched nerve surgery. Sciatic nerve pain treatment options might involve sciatic nerve surgery if there’s a significant weakness in the leg or bowel or bladder changes.
Sciatica is a condition characterized by pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back down through the hip, buttock, and leg on both sides. The pain can range from mild to severe and can be accompanied by other symptoms, such as numbness, tingling, or weakness in the affected area.
Sciatica is usually caused by compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve, which can be due to a variety of factors, such as a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or degenerative disc disease. Other causes can include pregnancy, piriformis muscle syndrome, muscle spasm, or injury.
Treatment options for sciatica depend on the underlying cause and severity of the condition. Conservative treatment measures may include rest, physical therapy, pain medication, and corticosteroid injections. In more severe cases, surgery may be necessary to relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve.
If you experience symptoms of sciatica, it is important to seek medical attention to determine the cause and appropriate treatment options. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent further nerve damage and improve outcomes.
Sciatica can be attributed to various medical conditions, including:
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A herniated or slipped disc can cause pressure on a nerve root. Pressure from the vertebrae can cause the disc’s gel-like center to herniate or bulge. When a herniated disc develops in the lower back, it can press on the sciatic nerve.
Bone spurs can develop in aging bones and compress the nerves found in the lower back.
Cauda equina syndrome is a severe but rare condition that affects the nerves located at the end of the spinal cord. The condition can cause numbness around the buttocks, pain down the leg, and bladder and bowel control loss.
Spinal stenosis refers to the unusual narrowing of the spinal canal. The narrowing reduces the available space for the nerves and the spinal cord.
Piriformis syndrome is a condition that occurs when a small muscle located deep in the buttocks (piriformis muscle) tightens or spasms. This can irritate and put pressure on the sciatic nerve roots.
Some of the most common symptoms of the condition include:
While most people can fully recover from the condition even without sciatica surgery or even pinched nerve treatment, the condition has the potential to cause permanent nerve damage. It is recommended that you seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
Risk factors for sciatica include:
Changes in the spine related to aging (i.e., bone spurs and herniated discs) are considered some of the most common causes of the condition.
Sitting for prolonged periods or leading a sedentary lifestyle might also cause sciatica.
Jobs that will require carrying heavy loads, twisting the back, or driving a motor vehicle for prolonged periods might also play a role in the development of sciatica.
Excess body weight can increase stress on the spine and might cause spinal changes that can cause the condition to develop.
Diabetes affects how the body uses blood sugar and can increase the risk of nerve damage.
Medications typically prescribed for the condition can include:
Physical therapy and steroid injections might also be prescribed. Surgery for sciatica will be the last resort if all other remedies fail.
A pinched nerve is considered a form of sciatica and can develop due to pathologies like a synovial cyst, foraminal or lateral stenosis, and disc herniation. Common symptoms of lumbar radiculopathy can include tingling and numbness, pain in the lower extremity, and weakness of the muscles. MicroTubeTM Spine Surgery is a minimally invasive procedure for nerve impingement and addresses the cause of the condition directly. Learn more about the benefits of MicroTubeTM Spine Surgery by clicking here.
