Sciatica is a set of symptoms that includes numbness, a tingling sensation, weakness or pain in the leg that is caused by pressure or injury to the sciatic nerve.
Sciatica is not a disorder, but rather a symptom caused by another medical problem.
Causes The sciatic nerve is the human body's longest nerve, which starts from the lower spine, and runs through the buttocks and hips down the back of the legs.
When the sciatic nerve is damaged due to pelvic injury or fracture, it can give rise to symptoms of sciatica.
Sometimes, a slipped disc, spinal stenosis or a tumor growth can put pressure on the sciatic nerve giving rise to the symptoms of sciatica.
Symptoms The symptoms of sciatica can vary considerably based on the cause of the problem.
Sometimes, there may be a mild tingling or burning sensation or a dull ache.
In some cases, there can be moderate to severe pain, making it difficult for a person to even move their body.
Most often, the pain occurs on either one side of the body depending on whether the right or the left sciatic nerve was affected.
There can be a sharp pain in one region of the hip or leg and numbness in the nearby regions.
These sensations can also travel to the back of the calf on the affected leg or the sole of the same foot.
Patients may feel weakness in the affected leg.
While the pain starts slowly in most cases, it can get worse while sitting or standing, or when exerting lung pressure while coughing or sneezing.
People suffering from spinal stenosis would often feel pain when walking for a few yards, or when bending backwards.
Sometimes, the pain can get more intense at night.
Diagnosis A physical examination is done to determine the cause of the symptoms.
The examination might reveal difficulty in bending the knee or moving the foot, weak or abnormal reflexes, or pain when lifting the leg from a horizontal position, off the surface of the examining table.
If the pain is severe, additional tests including MRI, X-ray or blood tests may be done to determine the cause of the symptoms.
Treatment Since sciatica is only a symptom that is caused by another medical condition, the underlying cause needs to be properly diagnosed and treated to alleviate the symptoms of sciatica.
In some people, the symptoms of sciatica automatically disappear as recovery happens on its own.
In other cases, conservative treatment is provided to address the symptoms.
Application of ice or heat to the affected area can minimize the pain.
Pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) which are over-the-counter medications can also provide relief.
While strenuous activity should be avoided, complete bed rest is not advisable.
The body should receive a certain amount of exercise to enhance the flexibility of the spine and to strengthen the abdomen.
The physician might also administer injections to decrease the pain by reducing the inflammation around the sciatic nerve.