Sciaticais a particular type oflower back pain, or leg andback painthat comes from injury or pressure on your sciatic nerve. Your sciatic nerve is a large nerve formed by roots coming out of your spinal cord in the lower part of your back. These roots come together to form two large nerves that run down the back of each of your legs.
The reason sciatica can cause lower back pain as well asleg painand weakness is that your sciatic nerves control the muscles in the backs of your knees and lower legs. These two nerves also supply feeling to the backs of your thighs, parts of your lower legs, and the soles of your feet.
"Because sciatica is caused by pressure on the nerve roots that make up the sciatic nerve, and there are multiple nerve roots, different people feel sciatic pain in different places," saysS. Christine Kovacs, MD, arheumatologistat the Lahey Clinic in Burlington, Massachusetts.
Sciatica Symptoms and Causes
Sciatica most often strikes people in their 40s and 50s, according to a study published in March 2015 in theNew England Journal of Medicine。
Situated between the bones of the spine, intervertebral disks act as cushions and shock absorbers. If they become damaged and start to bulge out between the bones of your lower back (a condition known as a slipped or herniated disk), they can press on your sciatic nerve roots and cause sciatica. Herniated disks are the most common cause of sciatica, according to the美国矫形外科医师学会。
About 1 to 2 percent of the population will have back pain caused by a slipped disk at some time in their lives, according toU.S. National Library of Medicine。椎间盘髓磁盘通常我们的结果r and tear, but can also develop from a sudden injury.
Symptoms of sciaticamay include:
- Lower back pain
- Shooting pain down the back of the leg
- Burning leg and back pain
- Tingling and numbness of the back or leg
- Weakness of the back or leg
Not everyone has experiences back pain with sciatica, notes Dr. Kovacs. You may only experience tingling and numbness. It all depends on which roots of the nerve are affected. “Although sciatica can occur on both sides, it is usually one-sided," she adds. Sciatic pain may get worse with sitting, walking, bending, sneezing, or coughing.
Diagnosing and Treating Sciatica
Adiagnosisof sciatica is usually made during a history and physical examination. Your doctor will ask you about your pain. During the physical exam, you may be asked to lift your leg while lying on your back — shooting pain down the back of your leg while in this position is a common sign of sciatica. Your doctor will also check the strength and reflexes in your leg.
AnX-rayof your back and anMRIare common tests sometimes used to help diagnose sciatica. Not all cases will require these tests. "Sciatica symptoms such as numbness and weakness may need to be evaluated with an MRI," says Kovacs.
Treatmentof sciatica usually starts with rest and pain control. "During the first 72 hours [after the pain starts] an ice pack may be applied to the lower back to reduce swelling. After that, heat works best to relax muscle spasms and reduce pain," explains Kovacs.
Typical treatments may include:
- A few days of bed rest
- Over-the-counter pain relievers
- Cold and hot compresses
- Resuming activity after a few days with mild stretching exercises or other physical therapy
- Muscle relaxants (may be needed for muscle spasms)
Some people may need steroid injections into the spine. In rare cases, surgery may also be considered.
Though it can be a very painful condition, sciatica usually responds to a short period of rest and non-surgical treatment. Up to 90 percent ofpeople with sciaticaget better over time without surgery.
