Sciatic nerve pain results from spinal stenosis, a herniated disk, spinal tumors, spondylolisthesis, piriformis syndrome or injury. The sciatic nerve runs from your spinal cord, down through the hip area and then through the legs. Conditions affecting the spinal cord, vertebrae, discs or foramen may negatively impact the sciatic nerve and cause pain, weakness, numbness and tingling.

History

Nerves inside of the spinal canal allow brain communications to the rest of the body. Structural problems with the bony spine may impact the transmission of nerve impulses from the brain to organs and extremities.

Significance

As with lumbar spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal canal that houses the nerves places pressure on the nerve root or the nerves emerging from the spinal canal. Thus, the proper transmissions of the sciatic nerve may not occur, resulting in pain and loss of full function.

Effects

Lifestyle, age and medical conditions impact the probability of your suffering from sciatic nerve pain. Professions requiring prolonged sitting, degenerative disc changes related to age and medical conditions like diabetes may affect the sciatic nerve's functioning and integrity.

Identification

A medical professional examines the patient and orders tests to identify the problem. Common tests include x-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scan. The MRI and CT scans make soft tissue visible, which greatly aids the diagnostic process.

Prevention/Solution

Depending on the severity of the sciatic nerve pain, doctors may recommend physical therapy, pain medication, epidural steroid injections or spinal surgery. Many people achieve relief using specific exercises, over-the-counter pain medications and hot or cold packs.

Source:

Mayo Clinic website: Sciatica

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases website: Handout on Health-Back Pain

Resource:

National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke website: Low Back Pain Fact Sheet