All you need to know about Sciatica
Sciatica (pain along the sciatic nerve) is not a condition, but a symptom of other conditions. The sciatic nerve – a long nerve in the body- runs from your lower back into both legs and passes downwards into the back of your thigh.
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Sciatica is an umbrella term which pertains to the pain in the sciatic nerve, which is often felt on the back or side of the leg.
The individual may also experience an alteration in sensation for example numbness or tingling sensation in the affected leg.
Sciatica also refers to a collection of symptoms which results from the compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve. The nerve may be compressed due to damage to the backbone or the cushions in between each of the small bones of the spine.
There are also occasions where Sciatica may be the result of poor habits, for example, sitting with an object in the back pocket of your pair of trousers or when you wear your tool belt with heavy tools for a prolonged period of time. These may predispose you to have Sciatica.
Sciatica may or may not be accompanied by back pain and have varying symptoms from a mild aching sensation in the back of the thighs or the calf muscles to a constant shooting pain from the back of the thigh to the foot.
The pain usually affects only one leg at a time and often extends from the lower back downwards through the back of the thigh and into the leg. Sometimes, the pain may also extend to the foot or toes.
What causes Sciatica?
There are various causes for sciatica. The general cause is when there is pressure on the sciatic nerve by bony outgrowth on the backbone.
This pressure on the nerve may occur as a result of poor posture, mal alignment of the backbone, trauma to the waist or backbone and narrowing of the space in between the back bones.
Symptoms of sciatica
Some individuals with sciatica typically experience pain in the lower back. This pain may range from burning, sharp or dull and spreads down into the leg, calf or foot. The pain usually occurs on only one side of the leg.
An individual may experience a sharp pain which may make it difficult to stand independently or walk. Pain may be constantly present or infrequent and may cause muscle weakness, numbness or tingling sensation in the affected leg.
Sciatica may begin slowly and may be worse at night or when an inappropriate posture is adopted.
Activities such as bending or moving from the sitting position to standing may make the pain more severe.
Some individuals may also have a severe ache which turns into a sharp pain upon standing up from a sitting position or lifting objects or bending to pick up objects.
Individuals may also feel one or more of the following symptoms: low back pain, buttock pain, and leg pain, pins and needles, and numbness, weakness in the leg or foot.
The pain may spread to below or above the affected knee.
Diagnosis
To confirm the diagnosis a thorough physical examination is conducted on your back, hips and legs.
The examination tests your flexibility and sensation, to determine the severity and whether the pain is caused by something else.
The muscle strength of your affected leg is also examined. Your medical history will also be taken to determine the cause of sciatica which would eventually aid in its treatment.
Special diagnostic investigations such as X-ray, MRI would also be conducted to have a good look at your backbone and find whether the backbone is injured.