Sciatica is defined as a severe pain in a leg along the course of the sciatic nerve. The pain is felt in the back of the leg running from the buttock down the back of the thigh into the calf and foot.
Sciatica pain may be felt in the back of the leg running from the buttock down the back of the thigh into the calf and foot.
Sciatica may result from any process which causes pressure or irritation of the nerve roots which compromise the sciatic nerve. This pressure may result from a variety of processes such as a ruptured intervertebral disc, narrowing of the bony spinal canal (called spinal stenosis), or rarely from infection or tumor.
The sciatic nerve is the longest and largest nerve in the body; it measures three-quarters of an inch in diameter. It originates in the sacral plexus; a network of nerves in the low back (lumbosacral spine). The lumbosacral spine refers to the lumbar spine and the sacrum combined. The sciatic nerve and its nerve branches enable movement and feeling (motor and sensory functions) in the thigh, knee, calf, ankle, foot, and toes. The sciatic nerve and the lumbosacral spine is pictured below.
About the Sciatic Nerve in the Low Back
The sciatic nerve starts in your low back, which is called your lumbar spine. The nerve roots are at the L4 and L5 vertebrae (the 'L' means lumbar, and the numbers indicate the level of the vertebra—where it is in your back). The sciatic nerve also travels through your pelvic region (sacrum).
In most people, the sciatic nerve runs under the piriformis muscle, which moves your thigh side to side. From there, the sciatic nerve descends through the buttocks and the back of the thighs. Behind your knee, smaller nerves branch out from the sciatic nerve and travel down to your feet.
If your sciatic nerve is compressed, it can cause pain along these pathways; that is how sciatic pain can "spread" or radiate to another part of your body.
What's causing my pain?
Your sciatic nerve pain can be caused by a bulging disc or a herniated disc, degenerative disc disease, piriformis syndrome, pregnancy, spinal stenosis, a spinal tumor or spinal infection, spondylolisthesis, or trauma.
Any one of those conditions can put pressure on the sciatic nerve or related nerve roots in your low back. That pressure is what causes your pain and other symptoms.
Read our spine specialist-written article on 6 leading sciatica causes.
Will I need surgery?
Most patients with lumbar radiculopathy respond well to non-surgical treatments, so spine surgery is seldom needed to treat it. However, there are situations when you may want to go ahead with spine surgery:
Read a detailed article on surgery to address sciatic nerve pain.
What kinds of surgery are used for lumbar radiculopathy?
Two common spinal surgeries for sciatica are:
Can I use over-the-counter medication to deal with my pain?
Over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) will help reduce swelling while relieving your pain. You and your doctor have plenty to choose from. You can use acetaminophen (eg, Tylenol), ibuprofen (eg, Advil), or naproxen (eg, Aleve).
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