Sciatica refers to pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, which branches from your hips and buttocks and down each leg. Sciatica most commonly occurs when a herniated disk, bone spur on the spine or narrowing of the spine (spinal stenosis) compresses part of the nerve. This causes inflammation, pain and often some numbness in the affected leg.

 

Causes

 

Common causes of sciatica include:

 

• Degenerative disc disease – breakdown of discs, which act cushions between the vertebrae
• Lumber spinal stenosis – Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal and is relatively common in adults older than age 60
• Pregnancy – Muscle spasm in the back or buttocks
• Tumors within the spine – these may compress the root of the sciatic nerve
• Infection – ultimately affecting the spine

 

Symptoms

 

Sciatica is often characterized by one or more of the following features:

• Typically affects one leg. The condition often results in a feeling of heaviness in the affected leg
• Painful – the pain may be stabbing, burning or shooting
• Numbness – sciatica pain may be accompanied by numbness in the back of the leg
• Weakness, numbness, or difficulty moving the leg or foot

 

How is sciatica diagnosed?

 

Physical exam

 

Your doctor might ask you to do some stretching and moving exercises to determine which activities cause more pain

 

• Localized pain in the low back, buttock, thigh, and leg
• The response to leg movements that elongate the nerve (straightening the leg)
• The response to certain stimuli, such as gently pressing the toes or calf region

 

Imaging test

 

Medical imaging tests in diagnosing the cause of sciatica in include:

 

• X-ray – An X-ray of your spine may reveal an overgrowth of bone (bone spur) that may be pressing on a nerve
• MRI Scan – An MRI Scan allows the doctor to visualize the sciatic nerve, surrounding soft tissue, and facet joint capsules
• CT Scan – For this test, your doctor will inject a special dye into your spine to help produce clearer pictures of your spinal cord and nerves

 

Treatment

 

Non-surgical treatment

 

Medications

 

The types of drugs that might be prescribed for sciatica pain include: Anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants, narcotics

 

Steroid injections

 

In some cases, your doctor might recommend injection of a corticosteroid medication into the area around the involved nerve root. Corticosteroids help reduce pain by suppressing inflammation around the irritated nerve

 

Physical therapy

 

Physical therapy incorporates a combination of strengthening, stretching, and aerobic conditioning and is a central component of almost any sciatica treatment plan. Therapeutic exercises may also be added to a physical therapy program.

 

The above information is for reference only, please consult your doctor for detail.