What is Sciatica?
Sciatica refers to pain that goes down the leg in the distribution of the nerve called the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is formed by multiple nerves coming out of the spine joining together before going through the pelvis into the leg. So in sciatica, the pain runs from the low back, buttock, back of thigh to the back of the calf.
What causes Sciatica?
Anything that causes compression of the nerves contributing to the sciatic nerve can cause pain to go down the leg. Most of the time, the cause of sciatica is from compression of nerves in the spine. This is often from a slipped disc or herniated disc in the lower lumbar spine. Sometimes, there is compression of the nerves outside the spine such as the pelvis. In these instances, the symptoms are similar to compression of the nerves in the spine which can cause sciatica. Piriformis syndrome is a condition where the sciatic nerve is compression by the piriformis muscle as the nerve is coming into the back of the thigh from the pelvis.
Other related symptoms of nerve compression
- Tingling of the buttock and the back of the leg
- Numbness of the buttock and the back of the leg
- Weakness of the leg
- Numbness of the anus region (can be a medical emergency)
- Inability to pass or control urine (can be a medical emergency)
Types of treatment:
- Rest
- Physiotherapy
- Brace
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Injections
- Keyhole, minimally invasive surgery
