What are Sciatica

Sciatica refers to nerve pain in the leg which is caused by irritation and/or compression of a sciatic nerve. Sciatic nerve is the longest and widest nerve in the human body which runs from the lower back, through the buttocks, and down the legs, ending just below the knee.

Sciatica is not a condition itself, but rather a symptom of another medical problem which involves the sciatic nerve. Pain originates in the lower back and radiates down the leg which may be accompanied by numbness and/or weakness in the leg.

Causes:

  1. Slipped or herniated disk
  2. Spinal stenosis
  3. Piriformis syndrome
  4. Pelvic injury or fracture
  5. Tumors, cysts or other growths
  6. Spondylolisthesis
  7. Degenerative disk disease
  8. Foraminal stenosis
  9. Osteoarthritis
  10. Pregnancy
  11. Tumors, cysts or other growths
  12. Conusmedullas syndrome
  13. Cauda equina syndrome

Risk Factors:

  1. Aging (30-50 years)
  2. Diabetes
  3. Overweight or obesity
  4. Being sedentary
  5. Weak core muscles
  6. Wearing high heels all the time
  7. Sleeping on a mattress that is too hard or too soft
  8. Smoking
  9. Type of occupation
  10. Poor work ergonomics

Symptoms:

  1. Pain – mild ache to severe, sharp, shooting or burning pain worsen with coughing, sneezing, bending, stair climbing, prolonged sitting or walking.
  2. Numbness
  3. Tingling
  4. Weakness in leg muscles
  5. Urinary or Fecal incontinence

Diagnosis:

  1. Physical Examination – Straight Leg Raise (SLR), Flexibility and Strength Checks or Gait Assessment
  2. X-Rays
  3. CT- Scans
  4. MRI
  5. Electromyography

Management and Treatment:

Treatment for sciatica can depend on the severity of the condition. In some cases, sciatica will improve on its own within 4–6 weeks without intervention. However, various treatments may help speed up recovery and alleviate pain.

Conservative (Non-Surgical Treatment):

  1. Icing
  2. Heat
  3. Over-the-counter Pain Relievers (NSAIDS)
  4. Muscle Relaxants
  5. Maintain posture
  6. Physiotherapy (Stretching & Strengthening Exercises, Nerve Glides, )
  7. Spinal Injections

Preventive Measures:

  1. Maintain good posture
  2. Avoid prolonged sitting or standing
  3. Maintain a healthy weight
  4. Regular exercise to improve general fitness
  5. Strengthening of core muscles
  6. Lifting safely — bend your knees, not your back
  7. Protect yourself from falls
  8. Avoid Smoking