Learn About Sciatica

What is the definition of Sciatica?

Sciatica refers to pain, weakness, numbness, or tingling in the leg. It is caused by injury to or pressure on the sciatic nerve. Sciatica is a symptom of a medical problem. It is not a medical condition by itself.

What are the alternative names for Sciatica?

Neuropathy - sciatic nerve; Sciatic nerve dysfunction; Low back pain - sciatica; LBP - sciatica; Lumbar radiculopathy - sciatica

What are the causes of Sciatica?

Sciatica occurs when there is pressure on or damage to the sciatic nerve. This nerve starts in the lower back and runs down the back of each leg. This nerve controls the muscles of the back of the knee and lower leg. It also provides sensation to the back of the thigh, the outer and back part of the lower leg, and the sole of the foot.

Common causes of sciatica include:

  • Slipped or herniated disk
  • Spinal stenosis
  • Piriformis syndrome (a pain disorder involving the narrow muscle in the buttocks)
  • Pelvic injury or fracture
  • Tumors
  • Spondylolisthesis

Men between 30 and 50 years of age are more likely to have sciatica.

What are the symptoms of Sciatica?

Sciatica pain can vary widely. It may feel like a mild tingling, dull ache, or burning sensation. In some cases, the pain is severe enough to make a person unable to move.

The pain most often occurs on one side. Some people have sharp pain in one part of the leg or hip and numbness in other parts. The pain or numbness may also be felt on the back of the calf or on the sole of the foot. The affected leg may feel weak. Sometimes, your foot gets caught on the ground when walking.

The pain may start slowly. It may get worse:

  • After standing or sitting
  • During certain times of the day, such as at night
  • When sneezing, coughing, or laughing, especially if caused by a herniated disk
  • When bending backward or walking more than a few yards or meters, especially if caused by spinal stenosis
  • When straining or holding your breath, such as during a bowel movement
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What are the current treatments for Sciatica?

As sciatica is a symptom of a more specific medical condition, the underlying cause should be identified and treated.

In some cases, no treatment is required and recovery occurs on its own.

Conservative (non-surgical) treatment is best in many cases. Your provider may recommend the following steps to calm your symptoms and reduce inflammation:

  • Take over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) or acetaminophen (Tylenol).
  • Apply heat or ice to the painful area. Try ice for the first 48 to 72 hours, then use heat.

Measures to take care of your back at home may include:

  • Bed rest is NOT recommended.
  • Back exercises are recommended early on to strengthen your back.
  • Start exercising again after 2 to 3 weeks. Include exercises to strengthen your abdominal (core) muscles and improve the flexibility of your spine.
  • Reduce your activity for the first couple of days. Then, slowly start your usual activities.
  • Do not do heavy lifting or twisting of your back for the first 6 weeks after the pain begins.

Your provider may also suggest physical therapy. Additional treatments depend on the condition that is causing the sciatica.

If these measures do not help, your provider may recommend injections of certain medicines to reduce swelling around the nerve. Other medicines may be prescribed to help reduce the stabbing pains due to nerve irritation.

Nerve pain may be very difficult to treat. If you have ongoing problems with pain, you may want to see a physiatrist (specialist in rehabilitation) or a pain specialist to ensure that you have access to the widest range of treatment options.

Surgery can be performed to relieve the compression of your spinal nerves, however, it is usually the last resort for treatment.

Who are the top Sciatica Local Doctors?
Patrick P. Coll
Geriatrics | Family Medicine
Geriatrics | Family Medicine

University Of Connecticut Health Center

263 Farmington Ave, 
Farmington, CT 
 0.2 mi
Offers Telehealth

Patrick Coll is a Geriatrics specialist and a Family Medicine provider in Farmington, Connecticut. Dr. Coll and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Sciatica. His top areas of expertise are Dementia, Frontotemporal Dementia, Primary Progressive Aphasia, and Memory Loss.

Internal Medicine
Internal Medicine

University Of Connecticut Health Center

263 Farmington Ave, 
Farmington, CT 
 0.2 mi
Offers Telehealth

Lynn Yu is an Internal Medicine provider in Farmington, Connecticut. Dr. Yu and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Sciatica. Her top areas of expertise are Down Syndrome, Obesity in Children, Hypothyroidism, and Choroid Plexus Cyst.

 
 
 
 
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Internal Medicine
Internal Medicine

University Of Connecticut Health Center

263 Farmington Ave, 
Farmington, CT 
 0.2 mi

John Menoutis is an Internal Medicine provider in Farmington, Connecticut. Dr. Menoutis and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Sciatica. His top areas of expertise are Breast Cancer, Hyperlipidemia Type 3, Anemia, and Low Sodium Level.

What is the outlook (prognosis) for Sciatica?

Often, sciatica gets better on its own. But it is common for it to return.

What are the possible complications of Sciatica?

More serious complications depend on the cause of sciatica, such as slipped disk or spinal stenosis. Sciatica can lead to permanent numbness or weakness of your leg.

When should I contact a medical professional for Sciatica?

Contact your provider right away if you have:

  • Unexplained fever with back pain
  • Back pain after a severe blow or fall
  • Redness or swelling on the back or spine
  • Pain traveling down your legs below the knee
  • Weakness or numbness in your buttocks, thigh, leg, or pelvis
  • Burning with urination or blood in your urine
  • Pain that is worse when you lie down, or awakens you at night
  • Severe pain and you cannot get comfortable
  • Loss of control of urine or stool (incontinence)

Also contact your provider if:

  • You have been losing weight unintentionally (not on purpose)
  • You use steroids or intravenous drugs
  • You have had back pain before, but this episode is different and feels worse
  • This episode of back pain has lasted longer than 4 weeks
How do I prevent Sciatica?

Prevention varies, depending on the cause of the nerve damage. Avoid prolonged sitting or lying with pressure on the buttocks.

Having strong back and abdominal muscles is important to avoid sciatica. As you get older, it's a good idea to do exercises to strengthen your core.

What are the latest Sciatica Clinical Trials?
Comparison of Contralateral Leg Neuro-dynamic Technique and Spine Mobilization With Leg Movement in Diabetic and Non-diabetic Patients With Sciatica

Summary: The aim of this randomized clinical trial is to find the comparison of CLNDT and SMWLM technique in diabetic and non-diabetic sciatica patients on reducing back pain and improving range of motion of knee

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Comparing the Efficacy of Transforaminal Epidural Injections, Acupuncture and Platelet Rich Plasma Injection in Patients with Sciatica Due to Intervertebral Disc Herniation, Spinal Stenosis and Spondylolisthesis

Summary: Disc herniation, stenosis of the spine and spondylolisthesis are the common causes of radiculitis in medical practice today, and can cause symptoms of sciatica. Steroid injection, acupuncture and platelet-rich plasma injection are often used interventions for the treatments of sciatica. The investigators will investigate the efficacy and safety of steroid injection, acupuncture and platelet-rich p...

Who are the sources who wrote this article ?

Published Date: September 20, 2022
Published By: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Francisco, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

What are the references for this article ?

Ibrahim M, Hurlbert RJ. Nonsurgical and postsurgical management of low back pain. In: Winn HR, ed. Youmans and Winn Neurological Surgery. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 312.

Marques DR, Carroll WE. Neurology. In: Rakel RE, Rakel DP, eds. Textbook of Family Medicine. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 41.