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Sciatica
See Also:
Sciatica: Introduction, Causes,
Symptoms & Diagnosis
Sciatica:
Treatment & Prevention Options
Introduction & Overview
| Sciatica
is a persistent, low back neuralgic pain
experienced anywhere along the sciatic nerve due
to its irritation by inflammation, pressure
caused by arthritis growths or
displaced/herniated disk in the lower spine. The
sciatic nerve is the longest nerve originating
from the lumbosacral plexus, exiting the pelvis
below the priformis muscle, entering the
posterior compartment of the thigh between
ischial tuberosity and the greater trochanter.
The nerve descends through the posterior aspect
of the thigh and divides into two components
namely tibial and common peroneal divisions in
the lower thigh innervating the hamstring muscles
and all the muscles below the knee. Both the
terminal branches contribute to the formation of
the sural nerve (1) & (2). |
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Sciatica is also known as radiculopathy.
Radiculopathy is a term used to describe pain, numbness,
tingling and weakness in the legs. The nerve problem
affecting the low back (lumbar region) is called lumbar
radiculopathy (3).
Sciatica is a common problem in the US with incidences
ranging from 1 to 10% (2).
Causes & Risk Factors
Causes:
Irritation or inflammation of the sciatic nerve causes
sciatica. The following reasons could cause this
irritation:
1. Pinching or stretching of sciatic nerve
2. A herniated disc or slipped disc.
3. Narrowing of the canal containing the spinal cord due
to aging and overgrowth of bone is called spinal
stenosis. This spinal stenosis puts pressure on the
sciatic nerve leading to sciatica on both the sides of
the back.
4. Sciatic nerve may experience pressure due to
Spondylolisthesis, which is slipping of one backbone
forward over another.
5. In Piriformis syndrome, the sciatic nerve gets trapped
deep in the buttocks by the piriformis muscle causing
symptoms of sciatica.
6. Osteoarthritis and osteoporosis caused due to aging
can also lead to Sciatica.
7. The disease such as Lyme disease, fibromyalgia, pelvic
infections, Reiter syndrome and various bacterial, viral
or fungal infectious causing arthritis leading to
sciatica.
8. Sciatica could also be caused due to tumor, blood clot
or abscess (boil) (4).
Risk Factors:
Various risk factors could cause sciatica such as:
1. Age: Changes in the spine due to aging is one of the
most common risk factors leading to herniated disk
between 30 years to 40 years.
2. Occupation: People with jobs that strain the back,
carry heavy loads, and drive motor vehicles for a long
duration with limited rest are at risk of developing
sciatica.
3. Physical activity: Walking and jogging is associated
with sciatica. People with sedentary lifestyle and
sitting for prolonged periods are likely to develop
sciatica as compared to active people.
4. Genetic Factors: Two genes have been identified to
cause disk problems.
5. Diabetes: Inappropriate blood sugar levels can cause a
nerve damage leading to sciatica (5).
Signs & Symptoms
Common symptoms of sciatica are radiating pain from
the lower back and spreading through the buttocks, leg,
calf and sometimes the foot. The pain is generally dull,
aching or burning - getting worse during nights and
aggravated by motion. The pain could also worsen with
prolonged sitting, standing, low sitting or standing up
suddenly (such as standing up from a toilet seat). Worst
pain is experienced by sneezing, coughing, laughing or
hard bowel movement. Sciatica could also cause tingling,
numbness or muscle weakness in the affected limb.
Weakening of leg or foot could also be experienced along
with the pain (1) & (4).
Medical Tests & Diagnosis Methods/Tools
Diagnosis of sciatica includes physical examination
and medical history:
Physical Examination:
During a physical examination, the doctor tries to look
for evidence of sciatic nerve injury or symptoms leading
to the pain.
Medical Examination:
Firstly, the doctor reviews all the symptoms and later
the medical history such as injury, fever and problems
controlling bowels or bladder. In order to correlate the
symptoms with that of physical examination the doctor
would seek spinal X-rays, Computed tomography (CT) scan,
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan (1).
See Also:
Sciatica: Introduction, Causes,
Symptoms & Diagnosis
Sciatica:
Treatment & Prevention Options
Sciatica is sometimes misspelled as Siatica.
Article by Kona Vishnu, MS
Medical Writer,
OmniMedicalSearch.com
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