Sciatica: Causes and Symptoms

Sciatica is an issue that affects millions worldwide; it is a condition characterized by pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, which extends from the lower back down through the hips and legs. This article discusses its causes and symptoms.

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica is a term used to describe pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve. This nerve extends from your lower spine through your hips and buttocks, and down each leg. Typically, sciatica affects only one side of your body.

The nature of sciatic pain can vary widely; it might be experienced as a mild ache or evolve into a sharp, burning sensation, or even severe discomfort. Some individuals may experience pain that feels like a jolt or electric shock. Sciatic pain is often exacerbated by prolonged sitting or sudden movements such as coughing or sneezing, which can increase pressure on the sciatic nerve.

This condition is commonly caused by a spinal disorder such as a herniated disk, degenerative disk disease, or a bone spur compressing part of the nerve. This compression causes inflammation, pain, and sometimes numbness in the affected leg. Although the discomfort can be severe, most cases resolve with non-operative treatments within a few weeks.

What Causes Sciatica?

Sciatica typically occurs when the sciatic nerve becomes pinched, often by a herniated disk in your spine or by an overgrowth of bone (bone spur) on your vertebrae. More rarely, the nerve can be compressed by tumors or damaged by diseases such as diabetes.

Common Causes

• Lumbar spinal stenosis: This is a narrowing of the spinal canal in the lower back.
• Spondylolisthesis: This condition occurs when one vertebra slips forward over the one below it.
• Cauda equina syndrome: This is a rare, but serious condition that affects the nerves in the lower part of the spinal cord.

Less Common Causes

• Ankylosing spondylitis: This is a type of arthritis that affects the spine.
• Lumbar stenosis: This is a narrowing of the spinal canal that puts pressure on the lower back and legs.
• Sacroiliitis: This is inflammation within the sacroiliac joints that can cause pain in the lower back and down the legs.

Symptoms of Sciatica

The primary symptom of sciatica is a pain that radiates from your lower (lumbar) spine to your buttock and down the back of your leg.

Other common symptoms include:

• Discomfort anywhere along the nerve pathway — from the lower back, through the buttock and down the back of your leg.
• Numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness in the affected leg or foot.
• Pain that worsens when you cough or sneeze, or when sitting.

It's important to note that while sciatica can be very painful, it is rare for permanent nerve damage to occur. Most people recover from sciatica with self-care measures. However, chronic sciatica can lead to complications such as loss of feeling in the affected leg, weakness in the affected leg, and loss of bowel or bladder function.