Common Causes, Signs And Treatment For Sciatica

By Author: illinoispain
Total Articles: 2
Comment this article

Sciatica refers to referred buttock and leg pain and other symptoms that result from one or more irritated nerve roots in the lumbar spine.

One of the most common causes of sciatica is a herniated disc. Radiculopathy can occur when the herniated inner contents of an intervertebral disc escape out of the disc through annular tears and presses on the spinal nerve root. When the material touches the spinal nerve root, it may irritate it, causing pain and/or other symptoms that go down one leg or buttock — in other words, sciatica.

While a herniated disc is the most common cause of sciatica, there are several other causes.

Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis refers to narrowing of spaces in the spinal column, often due to age and/or arthritis.

Spinal stenosis can be 2 main types –
• Central canal stenosis, narrowing occurs in the spinal canal, and
• Neuroforaminal stenosis, narrowing occurs in the holes located on the sides of the spinal column.

In both cases, the spinal nerve root may get irritated, leading to sciatica-like symptoms.

Piriformis Syndrome

The ...
... piriformis muscle is on top of the sciatic nerve in the buttock. Piriformis syndrome can result in sciatica-like symptoms when the piriformis muscle, and located over the sciatic nerve in the back of the hip, compresses this nerve. It can result in pain and electrical symptoms in that buttock and/or down that same leg.

Spondylolisthesis

In Spondylolisthesis, a vertebra slips forward over an adjacent vertebra, resulting in spinal nerve root compression and sciatic leg pain. Spondylolisthesis is usually caused by spinal degeneration, trauma, or physical stress.

Signs of Sciatica

Most often the symptoms are

• Shooting pain that radiates from the lower back to the back of one of the buttocks and one leg
• Numbness or tingling in your legs
• Trouble moving or staying active
• Stiffness in the feet
• Pain during the night
• Nagging pain after sitting or standing for a long time

The cause of the pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness depends on where the nerve is irritated or compressed.

Treatment for Sciatica

The treatment for sciatica includes –

• Pain Medication
Over-the-counter or prescription pain medications can relieve sciatica pain in the short-term. These medications can reduce the inflammation contributing to the pain. In some cases, muscle relaxants or narcotic medications can offer instant, temporary relief.

• Epidural Steroid Injections
For severe sciatic nerve pain, an epidural steroid injection in the area around the nerve can reduce inflammation and affect relief. The relief from these injections allows the patient to go through long-term physical therapy for lasting relief.

• Nerve blocks
A nerve block prevents the transmission of the pain signals from the pinched nerve to the brain, relieving pain.

• Physical Therapy
For long-term relief from sciatica pain, you need physical therapy to promote the muscle balance and physical conditioning.

If you are looking for a pain management specialist, call one of the leading pain management clinics in Chicago, Illinois Pain Institute at 800-340-PAIN Today!