What Is Sciatica?
Sciatica is a nerve condition causing pain along the sciatic nerve pathway, from the lower back down each leg. Often triggered by a herniated disk or bone growth, it leads to inflammation, pain, and possible numbness. Most cases resolve with treatment, but severe instances may require surgery.
Sciatica refers to pain that travels along the path of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve travels from the lower back through the hips and buttocks and down each leg.
Sciatica most often occurs when a herniated disk or an overgrowth of bone puts pressure on part of the nerve. This causes inflammation, pain and often some numbness in the affected leg.
Although the pain associated with sciatica can be severe, most cases clear up with treatment in a few weeks. People who have severe sciatica and serious leg weakness or bowel or bladder changes might need surgery.
Explaining Sciatica
Imagine your body as a complex highway system, and the sciatic nerve as a major route connecting your lower back, hips, buttocks, and legs. Sciatica is like a traffic jam on this nerve highway, causing pain to travel along its path.
The trouble usually starts when a disk in your lower back gets out of line or when bones grow where they shouldn't, putting pressure on the nerve. This pressure triggers inflammation, leading to pain and sometimes even numbness in one of your legs.
The good news is, with proper care, most sciatica cases hit the road to recovery in a few weeks. However, for those facing severe sciatica with significant leg weakness or changes in bowel or bladder function, surgery might be the detour they need.
Symptoms
Sciatica pain can be almost anywhere along the nerve pathway. It's especially likely to follow a path from the low back to the buttock and the back of a thigh and calf.
The pain can vary from a mild ache to a sharp, burning pain. Sometimes it can feel like a jolt or electric shock. It can be worse when coughing or sneezing or sitting a long time. Usually, sciatica affects only one side of the body.
Some people also have numbness, tingling or muscle weakness in the leg or foot. One part of the leg can be in pain, while another part can feel numb.