Common causes of sciatica include:
- Slipped or herniated disk
- Spinal stenosis
- Piriformis syndrome (a pain disorder involving the narrow muscle in the buttocks)
- Pelvic injury or fracture
- Tumors
- Spondylolisthesis
- Men between 30 and 50 years of age are more likely to have sciatica.
Symptoms of Sciatica may include:
- A mild tingling, dull ache, or burning sensation.
- Severe pain that does not allow a person to move.
- The pain most often occurs on one side such as sharp pain, or pain traveling down your legs below the knee.
- The pain or numbness on the back of the calf or on the sole of the foot.
- The pain may start slowly and get worse after standing or sitting, when you lie down, or awakens you at night.
- Hurting when sneezing, coughing, or laughing, especially if caused by a herniated disk.
- When bending backward or walking more than a few meters, especially if caused by spinal stenosis.
- Unexplained fever with back pain
- Back pain after a severe blow or fall
- Redness or swelling on the back or spine
- Weakness or numbness in your buttocks, thigh, leg, or pelvis
- Burning with urination or blood in your urine
Treatment for Sciatica
- Tests maybe needed if the pain is severe or long-lasting. These may include: - X-ray, MRI, or other imaging tests of the spine and blood tests.
- As sciatica is a symptom of a more specific medical condition, the underlying cause should be identified and treated.
- Conservative (non-surgical) treatment is best in many cases. Your spine surgeon specialist may recommend the following steps to calm your symptoms and reduce inflammation:
- Take pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) or acetaminophen (Tylenol).
- Apply heat or ice to the painful area. Try ice for the first 48 to 72 hours, then use heat.
- Bed rest is NOT recommended.
- Back exercises are recommended early on to strengthen your back.
- Start exercising again after 2 to 3 weeks. Include exercises to strengthen your abdominal (core) muscles and improve the flexibility of your spine.
- Reduce your activity for the first couple of days. Then, slowly start your usual activities.
- Do not do heavy lifting or twisting of your back for the first 6 weeks after the pain begins.
- Physical therapy. Additional treatments depend on the condition that is causing the sciatica.
- Recommend injections of certain medicines to reduce swelling around the nerve. Other medicines may be prescribed to help reduce the stabbing pains due to nerve irritation.
- Nerve pain may be very difficult to treat. If you have ongoing problems with pain, you may want to see a physiatrist (specialist in rehabilitation) or a pain specialist to ensure that you have access to the widest range of treatment options.
- Surgery can be performed to relieve the compression of your spinal nerves, however, it is usually the last resort for treatment.
- More serious complications depend on the cause of sciatica, such as slipped disk or spinal stenosis. Sciatica can lead to permanent numbness or weakness of your leg.