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Read about sciatica, which is pain caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve. Find out about the symptoms, what you can do to ease the pain, and when to get medical help.
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Oct 15, 2024 · Sciatica is a term used to describe pain felt in the leg but which often comes from the lower back. The sciatic nerve starts in the lower back and goes all the way down the back of the leg into the foot. Symptoms can be experienced along any part of the nerve.
- What is sciatica? Sciatica is a term used to describe nerve pain in the leg that is caused by a problem in the lower back. The sciatic nerve is a large nerve that starts in the buttock and travels into the leg.
- What are symptoms of sciatica? As well as pain travelling down the leg, people with sciatica can experience burning pain, electric shock type sensations and pins and needles.
- What causes sciatica? Anything that irritates a nerve root can cause sciatica. A common cause of irritation is compression associated with disc related changes*.
- Who gets sciatica and how long does it last? Sciatica affects people of all ages but is most commonly seen in forty and fifty-year-olds. Pain is usually worse in the first few weeks and reduces the most over the first few months.
The sciatic nerve is a large nerve that starts in the buttock and travels into the leg. This nerve is formed by smaller nerves known as nerve roots that enter and exit the spine in the lower back. Irritation of these nerve roots can cause pain in the buttock, thigh, calf and foot.
Your sciatic nerve comes from the lower levels of your back, passes through your buttock, and down the back of your leg on its way to the foot. It is most often characterised by leg pain, but some people may also experience tingling or numbness. Back pain can also sometimes be associated with sciatica.
Sciatica is often caused by nerve irritation and or inflammation. If the sciatic nerve is compressed, you may experience numbness and weakness in your leg(s). Discs DO NOT ‘slip’ in or out of place, as they are strongly attached to the bones in your back.
Sciatica describes radiating leg pain caused by inflammation or compression of the lumbosacral nerve roots (L4–S1) forming the sciatic nerve. The pain can have a sudden or slow onset, and vary in severity.
